^iil ECGi;S ^ tihxavy of t:he t:heolo0ical Seminary PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY •d^D* 5CC ;i36 AN O R A T I O N, In mem O,/ R Y. o f • ^/ General MONTGOMERY, A N D O F T H E ' OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS, Who fell with HIM, December 31, 1775, BEFORE' Q^ U E BE C; Drawn up (and delivered February igth, i77^>) At tke DESiREoF the Honorable CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, ""by W Tl L 1AM "^S M I T HTaa Provoft of the COLLEGE and A C A D E M Y Of PHILADELPHIA, O thou, who bad'ft them fall with honor cro^vn'd. Soon m ake the bloody pride of war to ccafe ! May thefe the only facrihce be found I'o public freedom, and their country's peace. PHILADELPHIA Printed : NEWTORK: Reprinted by John Andersoi:?, the Corner of Beekman*s-Slip, M, D c c, L X X V r. ' A N ORATION Sec: Fathers^ Brethren, and Ceunirynienl AN occafion truly folema has affembled us this day ; aud, that your attention may be i D'ace ."'^^^/°'^™" ^"d ferioos, hear. i„ thefirft I P-ace, the voice of eternal truth. « It is better to " « S? ?; ; "°" f 1 ^'^°"^"'"S than to the HouS nimlelt, and no man dieth to himfelf •" r-rr^^v.^^" -^"""n""'"' "'"'^^"^ted v^ithapu- r.r ray of divinity 5 Patriots ofthefirft magnitude who, in a peculiar fenfe. may be faid to live and die, not tojhemfelves, but to others; and confe qjentiy to him who is the author of all good^cfr Endowed with that iuperior excellence which do s nat"on d" °"l-^^°'fP^.r' '^' ^'^^"°"« °f every nation clarm kindred with them ; and the general ^^ntercfts of humanity are concerned in their fhaS, In veneration of fuch men, toexchane- the ac cuftomed walks of pleafure for the Houfe of efSS; T 5r'^" '" '''^''' ^^-^- -i'h teal to? tc r ^°^h^^'-.'^=™°^y; to ftrive,if p6ffibIe.^ to etch fome portion of their eternal fpirit as 't feht."::" ;^j? -''^l^Phere, into perUunioa l^-ta consenul foints a^ye, is a laudable cuftom. cosvai ccEvalwith fociety, and fanftified to us by the ex- ample of the wiftft nationf . It was the manner of the Egyptians, tiic fathers of arts and fcience, not only .to celebrate the namcs^ but to embalm the bodies, of their dcceafed he- roe" that they might be long preterved in public vievJ.'as examples of virtue j and/although - dead, vet fpeaking." , . But this honour was not eafiiy to be obtained •, nor was it beftowed indifcrimmately upon the vul- gar Great. It was decreed only by the public voice, a venerable affcmbly of Judges, htfcxc whom the body of the deceafed was brought foe trial, and folemnly acquitted or condemned upon. the evidence of the people, , - j Even Kings themfelves, however much ipare* when alive, for the fake of public tranquility, had Rill this more than fiery Ordeal before their eyes ; and by the example of fcme of their immtjer, who> had been rcfufed fcpulture in thofe very tombs which their pride had prepared to their own mc^ morv, were taught both to venerate and to dreaa a law, which extended its punifhments beyond ihc iifual times of oblivion. The moral of this inftitution was truly lublime,, conftantly inculcating a moft important leffon— -' That whatever diliinaions our wantb and vices Biay render neccffary, in this fhort and wiperfca: >.eriod of our being, they are all cancelled by the hand of death y and, through the endlcfs untried periods which fuccecd, virtue and beneficence will make the true diftindions, and be the only founda- tions of happinefs and renpwi>5 f m If from tj>s Egyptians, we pafs to the Greefo, poirticul^ly the enlightened Aihemars, we flu I find tbattfeey had ^n exprefs law appointing Ora- tionf and public Funerals, in honour ot thole who'glorioufly facrificed their lives to their coun- trv Aud this folemn office was performed before the great afTembiics of the people ; lonnetimes for one, and temetimes for bands of heroes together. Thucydidep, has recorded a celeWated Oration of this laft kind, delivered by Pericles. Tlieihul- trlous fpeaker, after a moft animating defcription of t\^tAmor Patria, the love of our country— which he exalts above all hutnap virtues, turns to the deceafed. , ,. " Having beftowed their lives to the public, .' every one of them, fays he, bath received a «> praise that will never decay -. a fepulchre that .< will always be moft illuP- ious ; not that m which «« their bones lie moulderincc. but that in which .«. their fame is preferved. This whole earth is the «' fepulchre of iUuftrious citizens"— and their in- fcription is written upon the hearts of all good men. " As for you, the furvlvors, from this very mo- - ment. emulating their virtues, place your fole «' happinais in liberty, and be prepared to foUovj « its call through every danger." Ttien, addrel- fincT himfelf, withcxquifite tendernefs, to the rc- liat and children of the deceafed, he fi-ggcfts to them, that the common wealth was their huioand, their father, and brother. " From this day forward, to the age of mata- « rlty, fhall the Orphans be educated at the public — - ■' — - — " ' expcnce ■ \ ( 6 ; ** expence of the ftate. For this benevolent meed " have the laws appointed to all future relifts of ^* thofe who m^y fall in the public concefts/' Nor were the Romans lefs careful in this mat- ter. Confidering men in general as brave^ more by art than nature ; and that honour is a more powerful incentive than fear j they made frugality, temperance, patience, and labor, manly exercife^ and love of rheir country, the maLi principles of education. Cowardice and negled: oi duty in the field, were feldom puniChcd with death or corpo- ral inflictions ; but by what was accounted worfe, a life decreed to ignominious expuliion, and de-^ gradation from Roman privileges. On the contrary, deeds of public virtue were re-^ warded, according to^ their magnitude, with fta-.^ tucs, triumplis of various kinds, peculiar -badges of drefs at public folen'mitiesj and fong« of praife to the livi-ng as well as the dead. Next to the hymns coaipofed in honor of the Gods ; Poetry derived its origin^ from the fongs of triumph to heroes^ who tamed the rude manners of mankind, founded cities, repelled the incuriions of enemiep, and gave peace to their country. And this cuftom began when Rome contained only a lew fnepherds, gathering flrength by an alluvies. of the outcafts of neighbouring nations. Thofe firft efforts ef poetic calogy, whether in profe or vcrfe (like thofe of a fimilar origin, which: uature, alv/ays the fame, teaches our favage neigh- bours) although often iublime in fubftance, were yet fo rude in ftrudurc, that Livy forbears quoting tiicm, as having become intolerable to the more refined ( 7 ) refined taftc of their pofterity ; however fuifable they might nave been to the acra of their produdion. What a multitude of compofiticns of this kind maft have exifted between the barbarous fongs of the military upon the triumph of Cofius, and the celebrated panegyric of Pliny upon Trajan ! Thev are faid t© have been fwellcd into two thoufand volumes, even in the ti!;ic of Auguftus. In fliorr, ' the praife of public virtue was wrought into the whole texture of Roman polity j and Virgil, callinor Religion to his aid, gave it the higheft finifji, " He divides his Hades, or place of Gho«s, into different regions ; and to the gulph of deepeft per- dition, configns thole monftersof iniquity whi> delighted in the deftrudion of mankind, betrayed Jeir country, or violated its religion and laws. There he excruciates them, in company with " Gorgons and Hydras and Chimeras dire—" Vultures prey upon their vitals, or they are whirled eternally round with Ixion upon his wheel or bound down with Tantalus, whofe burning 'lbs iiang quivering over the elufive waters it cannot touch ; or the Fury Tifyphone, her hair entwin'd with lerpents, her garments red with human •. -dreadful woes. r s ) Nor has Virgil ftraved any farther through the fields of fancy or fable in this place than to bor- row ftrtngth of colouring for the r.rb of tnith ; and I fufpedt, that he drank from a purer founta-.o than that of Helicon, when he peopled bis Tartarus wuh the ancient fcourges of the human race- An au- thor ity facred among chriftians has indeed g.ven us a moft awful conf.rmati. :. of his dodnne _ A Prophet and Poet indeed, whofe lafpiration was truly from Heaven, the incomparably fabxme •■ ISAIAH, foretelling the fail of Babylon, has an Ode of triumph, wherein he e^^ults over us haughty Monarch in Itrains of wonderful irony and re- proach. He reprobates him as a deftroyer of man- Ld ; who hid " made the world a w.ldernefs. He reprefents the whole earth as delivered f,om a rurfebyhisfalll The trees of the forcft rejoice, becaufe he is laid low 1 The very grave refafes a covering to his execrable corfe ! he is configne.. to th depLofm-ifery; while the infernal manfions ■ themfelves are moved at his approach, and uie Ss of departed tyrants rife up, m hornd .rray , fnd mocker^ of triumph, to bid him welcome t. , his final abode ! , r • > ^f th\<, imC The aftonifhing grandeur and fpint of tms pa.- fa.e. and i.deed Sf the whole Ode. are unnva-lcd Wnv Poet of Greek or Roman name. 1 ^^g> fince thou art laid ** down no teller is come up againd us- »^ Hell from beneath is moved for thee, to meet '' thee at thy coming. It Oarreth up the dead for '' thed— even the chiefs of the nations ! They (ay ^' unto thee, art thoo alfo become weak as we ? *' 1 hy pomp is brought down to the grave-— How '* art thou fallen, O Lucifer, that didft weaken the *' nations ? All kings^ (meaning jaft: and merciful '' kings) even all of them^ie in glory, every one ia '* his own hoafe (or fepuichre ;) but thou art caft '^ out of thy grave like an abominablevbranch/' &c. Bat although the reward of heroes, in the chrif- tian*s heaven, be oar proper theme on this folemn day ; yet the paffmg view which we have taken of the perdition decreed to the traitors of their country, in the Poet's hell, confirmt^d alfo by the voice of fcripture, is not foreign to our main purpofe, I know your boioms glow with fo ilrongan averfion to all the foes of liberty in this life, that you will furely aVoid every thought and adtion, which might doom you to their company in the life to come j and therefore, bidding adieu — and may it be an eternal adieu— to thofe dreary regions and their mifc-rable i^nhabltants, let us- ivov/ exalt our joyous vitw to thofe celeflial n^anfions, where the benefaarors of mankindreap immortal triumphs! '' Lo ! the bleft tt^ln advance along the meads, *^ And fnowy wreaths adorn their glorious heads *^ Patriots who periflVd for their countr.^^'s rights *« Or nobly triumph'd in the field of fight. *' Worthies, who life by ufeful arts rcfin'd, ** With, thofe who. leave a deathlcfs name behind "' - g ' '^^Fiiends *« Friends of the world, and patrons of mankind^ «' Some on the verdant plains are ftretch'd along^ •« Sweet to the ear, their tuneful Paeaiis rung. But here, ye Pagan poets, and thou Prince of their choir, we leave you far behind ; for your fublimeft flights are now infinitely fhort of the theme ! Your gloomy Theology gave you tolerable aid in forming a Hell, but the utmoft efforts of natural genius could not make a heaven worthy of a rational and immortal foul ! The glory of giving lomc animating defcription of that blils " which eye hath not feen, nor ear before heard, nor could << the unenlightened heart of man otherwife con- *' ceive/' was left for a more divine teacher. From him we learn, that a heart pure and detatched from fordid plealures, a foul panting after perfedlion, ftriving to imitate the goodnefs of heaven, antici- pating its approving fentence, and devoted to the fervice of mankind, fhall at laft rife and mix in eternal fellowfliip with the beatified family of God. Having now, my refpeded countrymen-— and I hope I do not weary you— laid a wide foundation upon the pradice of the wifeft nations— in fupport of the prefent folemnity ; I fhall add but little more concerning the public utility of the thing itfelf. Circumftanced as we now are, perhaps fhall long. be, in building up a fabric for future ages, it •would be a wife infiitution, if in imitation of the Genoefe* feaft of union,' we fhould make at leafl' an annual paufe, for a review of paft incidents, and of the charaders of thofe who have borne an illuf- trious ftiare in them 5 thereby animating our virtue. and uniting ourfcIve& more clofely in the bonds of mutual friend lliip,** The world, in general, is- more willing to imi- tate, than to be taught; and examples of eminent eharaders have a ilronger influence than written precepts. Mex's adions area more faithful mirror of their lives than their words. Tiie former feldoni deceive y but the latter often. The deeds of old, contradt a venerable authority over us, when fanc- tified by the voice of app'auding ages ; and, even in our own day, our hearts take an immediate part with thofe who have nobly triumphed, or greatly fufFered in our behalf. But the more ufefu] the difplay of fuch characs- tersraaybe co the world, the more difficult is the work. And I am net to learn, that of all kinds of writing, panegyric requires the moft delicate hand* Men feldom endure the praife of any adions, but thofe v^hich their felf-love reprefents as poffible to themfelves. Whatever is held up as an example, if placed beyond the reach of humanity duly exalted by public fpirit, will exite no emulation; and whatever is placed within the vulgar walks of life, will attrad: no attention. There is a further difficulty, peculiar to certaia;^ times; particularly thofe of civil diflenfioni when the minds of men are worked into a ferment, Vv^'hence it happens, that they who have been the fubjcdsof obiiquy in one age, have become the theme of praife in another. Such was Ham.pden in the days of paffivc obedience; branded as a fedU tious difturbcr of his country's peace; and at the blefkd aera.o£ the revolution, ei:alted into the firfl: rank: C 12 > rank of patriots. Such was Sidney, coridemne^f to afcaffold in the former period ; and, in the lat- ter, immortalized by the delegated Voice of the nation ! What judgment" pofterity will form of the pre- fent mighty contcft, in which thefc united colo- nies are engaged, I am at no lofs to determine' iii my own heart. But^ while the fame adions are, by one part of a great empire, pronounced the moft; criminal refiftance, and by another, the moft laiid- abieeiforts of felf-prefervatioa^ no public chara^er can be drawn alike acceptable to -all, Neverihc- lefs, as the faithful hiliorian is the beft panegyrift of true merit, he will not fail)ioD himfeif to times. and feafons, but exalt himfelf above them ; and, confcious of his dignity, as refponfibic to kicceed- 5ng ages, will take eternal truth as his fupport, which can alone bear the impartial teft of future examination. He knows that the divine colors of virtue, although they may give a temporary g^are, will not blend or mellow into a ground-work of vice. Whatever events, difaftrous or happy, may lie before us ; yet fome degree of applaufe, even from an enemy, is certainly due to thofe iiluflrious men, v^'^ho, led by confcience and a clear perfuafion of duty, lacrifice their eafe, their lives and fortunes to. the public ; and from their friends and country, they are entitled to a deathlefs renown. Perifh that narrow pride, whichfwill fufrer mca to acknowledge np virtue, but among their own party. In this direful conteft, the chief concern of a liberal mind/ will be^ that fo mucl;i pcrfonal "' . ' " - vii:-^ ( IS > virtue as nriay be found on both fide% bftead of being united in fome great national point for the common good, ihould be dread fully employed to the purpoie of mutual deilrudion. And a man can as foon diveft hiaifelf of his hutnanity, as rc- fuletbc tribute of veneration, <}ae tp actions truly n.iagn^.ninaons, V/hen once it becomes crioiinal to plead th« caufe of a fufFering people; when their virt'ies caa no longer be fafely recorded, then tyranny has put the lalt hand to her barbarous work. All the va- luable purpofes of lociety ar^ fruihated ; and what- ever other human fate remains will be wholly in- different to the wife and good. There are alfo many whofe minds are fo little^ that they can conceive nothing great, which does cot court the eye in all the trappings of drefs, titles, and external fplendor. An America)uPatriot ! a Blanket-Here ! a General from the phugh ! All thefe are terms of ridicule and reproach among many. Yet fuch was Cincinnatus^ in the beft days of Roman virtue ; and a Britifli p* ^it, already quo- ted, hath boldly taught his countrymen this noble leffon: *' Some^ with wbom compared, your injcul-trtbei ** Are but the beings of a Jammer's day^ *« Have held the leak of empire^ rul'd the ftorm *^' Of mighty war ; then^ with unweary'd hand^ ** Dijdatning little delicacies^ Jeiz*d *' The plough,, and grec^dy independayit liv'd,'* Thompsoi^. "» The fame noble kflbn is alfo taught, by the well known, flory of the two Spaniib grandees, who r H ) were fent ambaffadors to the Hague. Notwith- ftanding all the pride oi their nation, they did not defpifc the Dutch deputies, when they met then^ in a plain habit, and iaw them on a journey fit down upon the grafs, to a frugal rcpaft of bread and cheefe, out of their knapfacks. On the con- trary, they cried out, " We fliail never be able to *' conquer thele people j we muft even make peace with tiiem.'^ Should ambaffidors honor us with a vifit, upon a like occaiion ; let us be prepared to meet them in the flime majeftic fimplicity of drefs and man- ners. Let us convince them that public virtue is confined to no clafs of men ; and that although it fornetimes bafks in the lunfhine of courts, it fre- quently lies hid in the fhades of obfcurity, like the latent fire in flint, till called forth by the coUifive Jiand of oppreffion^ Adveriiiy is the ieafon which (hews the fpirit of a tnm in its full vigor ; and times of civil calamity never tail to ftrike forth lights, fornetimes fingle, and fornetimes whole confteilations, mingling their kindred rays to warm and to ill«uminate the geniusr of their country. The facred flame thus enkindled, is not fed by^ the fuel of faction or party ; but by pure benevo- lence and love of the public. It therefore, fooa rifes above the felfifh principles, refines and bright- ens as it rifes, and expands itfeU into heavenly di- nienfion?. Being inexti'nguifbable in its own na- ture, the blood of thoufands on the fcaiFold or in: the field, is but as oil poured into a conflagration, cncreaiiiig its vehemence, till it cooiames all be- ( 15 ) fore it 5 burning ftill clearer and ftrongcr, unto the full day of peace and civil happjnefs. Thofe who enjoy a true portiop of this divine flame, duly called forth into exercife, ftand in no need ' of further titles or diftindions, either by birth or grant. For what can the world prefent greater to the fight of mortals, or even immortals^ than a man who knows and courts ihc bleffings of peace, , who wilhes to breathe out his laft in its arms \ and, keeping it ftill as his objecb, is never- thelefs roufed by the iirft pang ot his lufFering country j gives his whole illuftrious fpirit to her re- lief; rifes above all human allurements; never re- mits his zeal ; fears na;hing ; regards norbing, bat the ientiments which virtue and magnanim'ty in- fpire ? What higher qualities can be required ta entitle a man to tne veneration and eulogies of his country ? And thefe too will be his molt durable monument. The ma^mificent ftruftures raifed by the grati- tude of m.ankind to their benefadois of old, had but a local and temporary ule. They were be-- held only by one people, and for a few ages. " The Heaven afpiring pyramid, the proud « Triumphal arch, and all that e'er upheld «« The worfhipp'd name of hoar antiquity " Are mouldering into duft." In vain does the way-faring man invcftigate the tottering ruins for the divinity once cnlhrined there! A fcanty refceptacle, about fix feet m length, and half the breadth,, informs him, that it once contained fome human duft, longfince ming- kd with the commou mafs. la vain does thcr t i6 ) . . . ; iprying antiquary dwell upon the fculpture, or ilrive to colled and fpell the fcattered fragments of letters. The infcription is gone— ^long fincc gone, effaced, obliterated ! And fruiclcfs were the ibarch, through the whole world, for the Hero's name, if it were not recorded in the Orator's pagc^ and proclaimed by the faithful voice of hilfory. There it fhali live, while the fnuileft veftiges of literature remain upon earth, yea, till the final dif- folation of things human ; nor fliall it perifh then 3 but, being the immediate care of Heaven, the great Archangel, when he fweeps funs and fyllems frorri their place, and kindles up their lafl fires, ftretching forth his mighty arm, ilLtll pluck the deathi'efs fcroll from the devouring conflagration, and give it a place among the archives of eternity ! But whither am 1 borne ? to what heights have I afcended ? I look dovvn with aftonifliment and tremble at my fituation ! O! Let. your friendly arms be extended to fave me as I fall. For in the idea I have of my fubjec^, I have undertaken ^to guide the chariot of the fun ; and how fhall I fleer through the exalted traft that lies before me ?-— Confidering myfelf as honored with this day's of- fice, by the delegated voice of fome milHons of people through a vaft continent, upon an occafion, wherein their gratitude, their dignity, their love of liberty, are ail in fome degree concerned j what language fhsll I ufe, or how fhall I accommodate inyfelf to every circumflance, in the arduous work ? Truth alone muft guide the hand that* delineates a character. Should I affedt to foar aloft and dip my pencil in the colours of the iky, I ihould bat en- ( »7 ) 1fnaang;er my own ^ings, melt their wax, and be precipitated headlong. " Nor is the danger lefs in the other extreme. Oh! then, for fonie better Phcebus, fome pre- fiding Genius, to gaide me through my remaining way; to point out the middle path, and teach me to unite dignity with eaie, ftrength with perfpecu- ity i and truth with the unafFedled graces of elocu- tion. Or rather, you {hall be my Phoebus^ my infpiring as well ^s prefiding genius, ye delegated fathers of your country ! So far vrill I ftrive to imitate him, who always animated himfelf with his fubj'^d, by thus accofting himfelf before he went forth to fpeak. " Remember, thou art this day going to addrefs inen born in the arms of liberty, Grecians, Athe- nians !" — Let no thought enter thy heart-— let no word fall from thy tongue^ un Worthy of fuch an audie.ice ! As to that hero, whofe memory you celebrate as a ProtO' Martyr to your rights, for through whatever fields 1 have ftraycd, he has never es- caped my vieWj as to him I fay, if any thing hu- man could now reach his ear, nothing but the great concerns of virtue, liberty, truth and juftice would be tolerable to hirn ; for to thefe v^^as his life devoted, from his early years. He had received a liberal education in Ireland, his native country, before he went into the army; and was indeed endued with talents which would have led him to eminence in any profeffion. His own he (ludied with a felicity which foon diftin- guiflicdhii military abilities ^ but war and conquefl: C ^ t - ( i8 ; having no other charms to him than as the necefla- ry means of peace and happincfs, tomankind^ he ftill found leifure, in the midll of camps, to cuhi- vate an excellent tafte for philofophy, and polite literature. To thefe he added a careful fludy of the arts of government, and the rights of man- kind , looking forward to that time, when he might defcend into the fi ill f cents of private life ; and give a full flow to the native ar^d acquired vir- tues ofa heart rich in moral excellence. Above eighteen years ago he had attained the rank of Captain iatbe 17th regiment, under Ge- neral Monckton, and flood full in the way of higher preferment ; having borne a (liarc in all the labors of cur American wars, and the rcdudion of Canada. Ill-fated region ! iLort-fighted mortals ! Little did he forefeejhe fcenes which that laTTd had ftill in refervc for him ! Little did thofe generous Americans, who then ftood by his fide, think that they were afiifling to fubdue a country, which would one day be held up over us, as a greater fcourge in the hands of friends, than ever it was in the hands of enemies ! Had fuch a thought then entered our hearts, we fhould have flarted with indignation from the deed of horror. Our heroiim would have appeared madncfs and parricide 1 The lifted fteel would have dropped from the warrior's arm \ The axe and the hoe from the laborer^s grafp ! America would have weeped through all her forefts; and her well-cultivated fields rcfufed to yield farther fuftenance to her infatuated fons ! But far different were our thoughts at that, time. Wis r 19 ) Vi/Q confidered ourfclves as co-operating with our brethren, for the glory of the empire ; to enable thciii to (ecare our cominon peace and liberty ; to huni>inise, adorn, and dignify, with Britifh privi- leges, a vaft continent ; to become ftrong in our ftrength, hvippy i^> our happinels;. and to derive that froni our affediaa, which no force c^n e'xtorc from a free peopJe ; and which the n^ilerable and opprcfT^d cannot give ! And thefCj too, were the fcntiments of our la^ mcnted Hero ; for he had formed an early attach- HiCnt, amounting even to an enthufiaftic love for this country ! The woodland and the plain ; the face of natures grand, venerable, and yet, rejoicing in her prime; our mighty rivers, defccnding in vaft cataracfts through wild and ihaggy mountains, or gliding in fiient majefty through, fertile, vales 5 their numerous branches and tributary fprings ; our romantic fcencs of rural quiet; our fimplicity of manners, yet uncorruptcd , by luxury or flagrant vice; our love of knowlege and ardorof liberty^ ah tile fe ferved to convey the idea of. primaeval fe- licity to a heart which he. had taught to b^at uni- fon with the harmony of Heaven / He therefore ehofe America, as the field of Ws future ulefulnefs J ^ and as foon as the bleiTings ©f peace were reftored to his country, and duty to his {©vereigQ would permit, he took his leave of the army, and having foon connected himlelf,. by marriage, with aii ancient and honorable family, in the province of New- York, he chofe a delight- ful retirement upon the banks of Hudfon's river, a,t a diftvinve hov* the noife of the bufy v/x>rld ! — - ^ Ha--. (^ 2a > Having a heart diflcfidcd with benevolence^ and pantMig to do good, he foon acquired, without- Courting it from his neighbours, that authority^ which an opinion of fuperior talents, and ijaflexible integrity, never fail to create. In this molt eligible oi all fituations, the life of a country gentleman, deriving its nioft exquifite relifli from refledion upon paft dangers, and pall: fervices, he gave full fcope to his phiiofophic fpirit^ and t.fte for rural, elegance* Sclf-iatisfied ^nd raifed above vulgar ambition, he devoted his time to fweet domcftic intercourfe^ with the amiable partner of his heart, friendly converfe vvith mea of worth, the ftudy of ufeful books, and the im- provement of his favoured villa. Nor from tha^ happy fpot did he willi to ftray, until he ihould receive his laft jfummons. to. happinefs, more thaa terrcftial. But when the hand of power was flretched forth againft the land of his rcfidencc, he had a heart too. noble not to fympathi^e in its diftrefs,^ From that lata! day-— and Oh! that it had never found a, place in the volumes of Time; from that fatal day, in which the firft American blood was fpilt by the hoftile hands of Britifh brethren, and the better genius of the empire, veiling her face in an- guifli, turned abhorrent from the firifc of .death among her children;. I fay, from that fatal day, he chofe his part. Although his liberal fpirit placed him above lo- cal prejudices, and he confidered himfelf as a, spiember of the empire at large ; yet America, ftriiggling in the caufe ojF liberty, henceforth be- came came his pceuliar country ; and that country took full poffcffion of his foul ; lifting him above this, c^rthlv' drofs, and every private affedion ! Worth like his, could be no longer hid in the Shades of obfcurity ; nor permit him to be placed ia that in- ferior rtation with which a mind, great in humilitjf and felf denial, would have been contented, it was wifely confidered, that he, who had lo well learned to obey, was fitted to command ; and therefore, being well afiured of his owr^ heart, he rcligned himfclf to the public voice, nor hcfitated a moment loni>er to accept the important commif- fion frjecly offered to him, and, with the firmnefs of another Regulus, to bid farewell to his peaceful retirement, and domeftic cndsarments. Here followed a fcenc of undiffembled tender- nefcand diflrels, which all who hear me may, ia fome degree, conceive ; but ail cannot truly feel. You only who are hufbands, whofe hearts have been intimately b!e."ided with the partners of your blifs, and have known the pangs ct feperation, when launching into dangers, uncertain of your fate. You only, would i now more diredly ad- drefs.^ Give a moment's paufe tor'refledUon ! Re- call your own former te^elings, your in\A^ard flrug- gles, your virtuous tears ! Here bid them again freely flow, while you iiften to our hero's parting^ words, — Ye fcener. where home-felt pleafures dwell. And thou, my dearer feif, farewell ! *' Perhaps the Cypreis, only tree *' Of all theie groves, Ihall follow tnej" But fVill, to Triumph or a Tomb, Where virtue calls, I come, I come f " I ( 22 > *' T COME, I Come!" fslor were thefe the i words of diiappoinled ambition ; nor dictated by any ludden .rtait of p^rty seal. He had weigh-, ed the conteA well, was intimately acquainted with the unalienable rights of freemen^ and ready to fapport them, at every peril 5 He h^d long fore- fc^n and lamented the fatal iffue to which things were haftening. Re knew that the Iword of civil deftruftion, once drawn, is not eaiilj (heathed ;. that men having their mind« inflamed and the wea- pons of defence in their hands, feidom know the juit point whe e to flop, even when they have it in, their po^yer ; a:)d often proceed to adions, the bare qorvtemp.ation of which, would at firil havQ aftonifhed them. It was therefore his dcfire rather to foften than cnflamc violent humors, wiiliing that America, in, all her adions, might ftand judiSed in the fight of God, and the world. He forelaw the horrid train of evils which would be Wt ioofe by the ftroke- "which fliould lever the ancient bond ot union be- tween Great-Britai'n and us. It was therefore bis. wifh, that (uch a ftroke (hould never proceeH. firft from the hand of America. Nor did it fo pro- ceed. The refiftance made at Lexington, was not the traitsrQus ad of men confpiriag againft.the lupreme powers J nor di reded by the councils of any public body in America; but role immediately out of the cafe, and was didated by felf-prefervation,-' thafirfl: great law of nature as well as fociety. If there was any premeditated fcheme here, it was preme- ditated by thofe who created the dreadful necciiity, ei«. " ( 23 ) Cither of refinance of ruin. For could it be ex- pedted, that any people, pc.ffcffing the leaft re- mains of virtue and liberty, would tamely fubniit to deftrudion and ravage; to be difarmed as flaves ; ftiipped ot their property, and left a naked prey even to the infultb of lurrouding favages ? Was this an experiment worthy of Great-Britain? Where v^as the wildom of her counfellors ? Had their juftice, th^ir moderation quite forfaken them? Could they polTibly exped obedience in fuch a cafe as this ? Would they themfclv^s, in a fimiiar cafe, even under a competent legifliitive authority, fubmit to laws which would deftroy the great end of all laws, Self-Prcfervation ? Human nature lays, N® ', The Genius of the Englilh conflitution fays, No.' The nation itfelf hath heretofore faid, No ; and a great oracle {blackjione) of its laws has given his fandion to the verdid— '' In cafes of national « oppreffion, fays he., the nation hath very juftifi- <* ably rifcn as one man, to vindicate the origin-l << contrad, iubfiiling between King and people.'* " And-—** If the fovereign power threatens deio- <« lation to a fiatc, mankind will not be rcafoned out, of the feelings of humanity, nor facrifice liberty «« to a fcrupulous adherence ta political maxims." If the cafe of America does not come within the above dcicription, there feems to be no equity left upon earth ; and whatever is bxaded by force» muft be yielded through fear. But if juftice be anv thing more than a name, it is furely a folecilrn in politics to fay, that one part of a^ free counrry has a^ right to cOmrrjand tnat which the other *' cannot obey without being flaves, nor refill with- ^' out ( H ) ** out being rebels/* Yet to fuch a fad dilemmi does the parliamentary claim of a right to bind us ** in all caies whatfoever,** reduce Annerica | involv* ing it io/.a total iurrcnder of our liberties ; fjpcr- fcding the ufe of our own legiflatures ; marking us with iuch a badge of fervitude as no frtem^n can content to wear ^ and fubjedting us to burdens laid by thole who are not only unacquainted with our circumftances, and bear no part of the weighty but cafe themfelves in proportion as they Ic^d us* If this be law, if it be equity, it has no example among any other people, poffeffing the leaft glim- merings of virtue or native freedom. Bat although this claim be fo repugnant to every idea of natural as well as legal juilice, that the guilt of blood which it may occafion can be charge- able only on thofe who attempt to enforce it; yet I am well aflured that when compelled at laft by hard neccffity, either to avert the dagger pointed at our breafl or crouch to unconditional fervitude^ cur hero's heart bled for the dreadful alternative. His principles of loyalty to his fovereign [whom he had long ferved, and whofe true glory confifts in healing thofe ftreariiing wounds] remained firm and unihaken. Love to our brethren whom we mud oppofe; the interchange of good offices, which had fo intimately knit the bonds of friend- fhip between them and us ; the memory of thofe better days, in which we fought and triumphed to- gether ; the vafl fabric of mutual happinefs rarfed by our union, and ready to be difTolved by our diifentions ; the annihilation of thofe numerous plans of improvement in which we were eiigaged "'^ ' ' ■'"' for . ( 25 ) for the glory of the empire ; ail thefe confiderati- ovis conrpli'ed^ to render this conteft peculiarly ab- horrent CO him, and every virtuous American, and could have been outweighed by nothing earthly^ but the unquenchable love of liberty, and that fa- ded duty v^hicli v/e owe to ourlelves and our pof- terity. Hence, as appears from his papers, even in the full triumph of fuccefs, he moil: ardently joined his v/oftfiy friend, General Schuyler, in praying that *^ Heaven may Ipcedily re-unite us in every bond " of ailedioii and iiitereft ; and that the BritiOi *' empire may again become the envy and admi- *' ration of the univerie, and iiourifli" tillthecoa- fummation of earthly things. This pare of his character, I dwell upon with particular fatisfadtion ; and indeed had he evidenced a contrary ientiment, or gone forth in the rage of conqueft inikad of the fpirit of reconciliation ; not ail his other virtues, nor ^et the refped: which I owe to the appointment wherewith I am now ho- nored, could have induced me to appear in this place, on this occafion. God forbid that any of the profeffion to which I belong, ihould ever for^^et their peculiar charac- ter, e;^c:rcire a turbulent ipirit, or proflltutc their voice to enflavc men's minds to the purpofes of wild ambition, or muiual dedrudtion. I am hap- py in knowing that nothing of this kind is wiihed from me ; nay, that the delegated voice of the conti^nent, as well as of this particular province, Jupports me in praying for a reflocation " of the *_^ former harmony between Great-Britain, and "" " " ^ ~ D " thefc ( 26 ) " thefe colonies upon io firm a bifis as to perpetu- ** ate ks bleffings, cninterupted by any future dif- fentions, to lucceeding generations in both ccu:i- trics." I Indeed this matter rcfts in fafe hands^ and is ckar in itfelf. If redrefs of grievances, effential liberty, and fccurity againft future opprefficn can be obtained, agreeable to our own defires y then, neither confiftency, dignity, or a regard to our il- luftrious Britifli friends, who have defended our caufe, pledged themfelves for our fincerity, and hope by our aid to reftorc and perpetuate ehe glory ©f the whole empire, can fuffer us to hciitate, To fay, let them look to their own fafety, and wc will lock to oars, would be unworthy of the libe- ral foul of any American, truly animated in our prefent caufe, and with the love of univerfal li- berty. But fuppofe thefe terms cannot be obtained ?>— Why then, there will be no need of further argu- ments, much Icfs ©f aggravations. Timid as my heart, perhaps is, and ill- tuned as my ear may be to the din of arms, and the clangor of the trumpet ; yet, in that cafe, founds which arc a thouiand times more harfh ; " even the croaking of frogs in the uncultivated fen," or the howling of wild beafts on the mountain top, where liberty dwells, would be ** preferable to the Nightingalc^s fong/* in vales offlavery, or the melting notes of CorcUi, in cities clanking their chains ! If this be a digrefEon, pardon it as thelaft, and due to my own principles and confiftency. I now haftcn to attend- our hero through the remainder of ( 2J ) his career — fhort indeed ! but croudcd with fcenes of virtuous adivity, which would have dignified the longcft life. The Canada expedition is one of thofe meafures,. which the enemies of American peace having firft rendered necefl^ry, will now ftrivc to mifconftrue into hoftility and offence. But v^hcn authentic proofs were obtained that a people proteffing a re- ligion, and fubjcded to laws, different from ours, together witli numerous tribes of favajes were in- ftigated and preparing to deluge our frontiers in bloody let God and the world judge v/hethcr it was an adlof offence ; or rather, whether it was not mercy to them, to ourfelves, to the whole Britifh empire, to ufe the means in our power for fruf- tracing the barbarous attempt. Indeed there was benevolence in the whole plan of his expedition. It was to be executed not fo much by force as by perfuafion ^ and appearing in the country with fuch a refpedable ftrength, as. might protect the inhabitants from the infults and vcngeace of thcfe, who were ftriving to make them hft up their reludlant arm to the fhedding fraternal blood. It was further wifhed to kindle up the ex- piring lamp of liberty among them ; to open their eyes to its divine effulgence ; and enable them to raife their droopirrg hea;i, an^ claim its bleifing as their own. This was 3 work, in all its parts, fuited to the geniu^ of a Montgomery. He had a head and, heart which equally pointed him out as a fit guide. in fuch an undertaking He underflood and couid well cxpUin die bleflings of a free governiri^nr,. Esifuaiiori'; ^ ,( ^^ ) Perfaafion dwelt upon his tongue. Fie Iiaa a foul^ great, difinterefted, afFedionate, delighting to alle- viate diftrefs, and to difrufe happineis. He had an induftry not to be wearied out -, a vigilance not to be impoled upon j and a courage, when neeeffary, equal to his other abilities. ' • - f But ftill, with a few ncw-raifed men, of different colonies, and perhaps different tempers ; ill fup- plied with arms and ammunition; worfe difcipHned; unaccuftomed to look cannon in the face ; to make or to mount a breach— in fuch circumftances, 1 fay, andift the fliort fpaceof an autumnal and win- ter campaign, in rigorous northern climeSj to at- chieve a work which coll Great-Britain and the colonies the labor of feveral campaigns, and wh^t was a facrifice of infinitely more value— the life of the immortal VVOLFE-— this certainly required a. degree of magnanimity, beyond the ordinary reach, and thcexertionof the higheft abilities of every kind. The command and condud: of an army, v/ere but Imall parts of this undertaking. ^The Indians were to be treated with, retrained and kept in. temper,. The Canadians were likewifc to be managed, pro- tected and lupported ; And even his own army in fome degree to be formed, diiciplined, animated j,^ accuftomed to marches, incanipments, dangers, fa- tigues and the frcquept want of neceflaries^ Camps, of all wordly fcencs, often exhibit the grcatefl piftures of diftrefs. Th^ fick and the wounded— the dying and the dead— as well as the •wants and fufftrings of the living— all" thefc call: forth the moft tender feelings, and require of a General that, to. the courage of a loldier, he/hould unite the utmoft benevolence of a man !. Que; f 20 > Our Genera.1 poffefled thefe united qualities irt their highcftliiftre ^ of which there are numerous teftimoniesnot only from his own army, but from the prifoners, Englifli as well as Canadians,' now amop.trft us. When his men laboured under fatigue, wanted bread and other neceilaries, had their beds to make in fnow or deep moraffes, they were a^Tiamed to complain, finding that he was willing to ihare in the execution of whatever he commanded. And the example which he thus fee to others, did more to infpire patience, obedience, love of order and difcipline, than the moil rigid exercife of power tould have done. The influence of this example was dill ftronger, as it did not appear to be the ef- fed: of conftraint or political necefiity ; but the amiable expreffion of afympathizingfoul ; leading him to condefcend to aH capacities ; exad in his own duties, and great even in common things. His letters, confidential and official, are a full proof of this. V* Our incampment is fo fvvampy, I feel, fays he ''exceedingly for the troops; and provifions fo *-* fcarce, it will require not only difpatch, but good *' fortune, to keep us from diftrefs. Should things ** not go well, I tremble for the fate of the poor '* Canadians, who have ventured (o much. What '' fhall I do with them,.(hould I be obliged to *' evacuate this country ? I have afrured them that " the United Colonies will as foon give up Mafla- ^' chuletts to refentment as them." ^ Thefe lentiments were worthy of a heroic foul, ^nd of th« faith he bad pledged to thofc people. iN'or ( ^o ) Nor IS he Icfs to be venerated for his tender regard towards his own army, Inftcad of making a merit of his difficulties fwhich were indeed more than ought to be mentioned in this place) he often fceks to conceal them ; afcribing any little faults or tar- dmels, in his young troops, to their want of cxpe^ ncnce in forming • to their hard duty, the conftant lucceffion of bad weather and the like- -ftilj en- couraging them to nobler efforts in future. And if any impatience of difcipline appeared, he nobly attributed it to « that fpirit of freedom, which « men accuftomcd to think for themfelves, will «' even bnng into camps with them." His own fuperior military knowledge he has been known to facrifice to the general voice, rather than interrupt that union on which fuccefi depend- ed ; and when a meafure was once refolvcd upon by the majority, however much contrary to his own advice and judgment, he magnanimouQy fup. ported It with his utmofl vigor; difdaining that work of low ambition, which will ftrive to defeat m the execution what it could not dired: in planin^-, Hi5 pcrfcrverance and condudl in gaining pofl ieffion of St. John's and Montreal, have already been the theme of every tongue, and need not be mentioned in this place His abilities in ncgociation; the precifion with which the various articles of treaties and capitulations are cxprefTed ; the gene-.^ rmisapplaufc he gives, not only to every worthy effort of his own officers, but to the Commanding Officer and garrifon of St. John's; his noble dccla- ration to the inhabitants of Montreal, << that the *^ Continental Armies defpife every afl: of opprcf- ( 3' ) « {ion and violence, being come for the exprefs I*' purpofe oJgiving liberty and fccurity" — all thefc |I lay, did honor to himfelf, and to that delegated jbody, under whofe authority he adted. I Leaving him, therefore for a while-— alas too 'fhort a while— to enjoy the nobleft of all triumphs, 'the applaufc of his country, and the confcious tef- timony of his own heart, let us enquire after another ;band of brave and hardy men who are ftcmming rapid rivers, - afceoding pathlcfs mountains ; tra- ! verfing unpeopled deferts ; and haftening through deep moraffes and gloomy woods to meet him ia fccnes of another ilTuc — ""^-Dejerts 171 vain Opposed their courfe, and deep rapacious floeds^ And mountains in 'ivhofejaws dejlrudiion grin'd^ Hunger and toil—ArmenianJnows and jiorms \ Greece in their vieiv and glory yet untouch* d^ ^ihey held their feariefs way — O ! jirength of mind Almo^ almighty in fevere extrefnes \ Thispraife v^as paid to ten thoufand heroes, (\y(- taining every danger, in a retreat to their own coun- try, and is certainly due, fo far as heroifm is con- cerned, to lefs than a tenth part of the number, marching through equal difficulties againft the ca- pital ofahoftile country. Even the march of Hannibal over the Alps, (o much celebrated in hiftory, allowing for the dif- parity of numbers, has nothing in it of fupcrior merit, to the m^rch of Arnold ; and in many cir- cumftances there is a moft ftriking fimilitude. The former had to encounter the rapid Kenne- beck, thro* an immenfc length of country. The former r 32 ) former when he came to quit the river, found his further paffage barred by mountains, rearing their fnowy crefls to the fky, rugged, wfld, uncultivated. This was alfo the cafe wuh the latter, whofe troops, carrying their boats and baggage^ v^ere obliged to crois and recrols the fanrie mountains fundry times. At the loot of the mountains, the former was deferted by three thouland of his army, defponding at the length of the way, and ter- rified at the hideous view of thoie fiupendous heights, which they coniidered as impaffable — In like circumltances, about a third part of the army of the latter, delerted iliall l^fay, or uie the more courteous language ** ret4.irntd home.*' The march of the former was about twelve hundred miles iu five months. The Virginia and PeDniylvania rifle- companies, belongjng tu the latter, including- their firit march from thtir own habitations to Cam- bridge, and thence to Quebec, marched near the fame diftance in about three months. Be fides thefe rips companies, Arnold's corps confified cf about 500 New England troops, who Jujlained ad the fatigues of tkeworjipartojthe march by land and watery "with the utmoji fortitude. And General Mont'm gomery^ 'ever ready to do ju(iice to merit,, having joined them before ShiebeCy gives their commander and • them this chara^er, " 'I hey are an exceeding fine body cf men^ inured to ^^Jaiigue^ with a fiyle of dfcipHne among, them much *' fuperior to "what I have been ufed to fee this cam-- ^' paign. He \himfelf is aciivc^ initlligcnty and y enter prizing^ llavin-F ap'Prodcbedthfe plains 'which the blood cf ' ' JVQLFE ( 33 ; WOLF E hath confecraied to decitblefi fame^ our her 9 Jeemed emulous of his glory ^ and animated with a kin'' dred fpirif, The Jit nation of his army prejjed dtj patch! fjiows andfrofls only quickened his motions. He hoped by one fucceiful jlroke^ before the arrival ojfuccours to the garrifon, to complcat hi^plan^ andfave the future cffulion of tnuch blood, Hejurtber flattered himfelf^ that his fiiCfefsy if Ipeedy^ might have fome influence upon Parliament^ in b aliening a reconciliation. He under flood that maxim of Folard—^'" No obflacle Jhsuld break our refolution^ %vhen there is but a moment be- tween a bad fituation and a worfe'' — This fentiment he exprefl^i-s in his lafi letter^ wi^b a fpirit of -modedy^ and a fenfe of duty, as ij$ell as the danger attending it, which ought to be forever recorded to his glory. *' / «' fl^all be jorry to be reduced to this mode of attack ; <' becaufe I know the melavuholy confequences. But <* the approachi?2g feverity of the feaf'on, the weaknefs *' of the garrifon, together with the nature of the *' works ^ point it out too flrong to be paffed by. For-- '* tune often baflfes the mefl f anguine expa Bat ions of *^ poor mortals— I am not intoxi(^ated with the favours " I have received at her hands. But I think there ^^ is a fair profpeB ofjuccefsj' Poor mortals indeed, if nothing was to' remain of them after death 5 for while he was courting this fuc'^ cefsy and glorioufly leading on his troops in the front of danger, he received the fatal droke, which in an inflant releafed his great fpirit, to follow and join the immortal fpirit of WOLFE ! ' O thou fwift winged mefenger of deflruElion, how didfi thou triumph in that moment I the (Iroke that fever' d Montgomery J rom his army^ deprived them of E viore r 34 ) fnore than a member. It reached the vitdls^ andjlruck the wh^le body with a temporary death, A% 'when the forked lightnings darting thro' the forreji, amid the black tempeHs oj nighty rends fome towering cak^ and lay^ its lonurs in the dufi^ the inferior trees which it had long (helteredjrQm the fl or m^Ji and mourn ^. Jul around^ Jo Jtocd the ajtcnijloed band over their fah len Chieftan I nor over him alone ; but over others^ in their prime cf glory\ pro/irate by his fide ! Here, ye Pennfylvanian youths, fecond to none in virtue, let a pordon of your tears be facred to the manes of Macpherfon ! You remember his^ generous fpirit in his early years, for he drank of the lame fprings of fcience with many of you now before me j and wc who reached the cup to yonr lip, rejoice that it contributed to invigorate both him and you into wifdom and p'^blic (pirit.. Hav-. ing finilhed his fcolaftic education, he ftudicd the- laws of his country, under a lawyer and a patriot ofdiftinguiflied name; and animated by his exam- ple, as well as precepts, had become eminent ii> his profeiTion, at an age when fome have Icarce- begun to think of bulinefs. The love of liberty being his ruling paflion, he thought it his duty in the prcfent ftruggle, to offer himielf to the fervice- of his country, and he had foon an opportunity of attaining that military pre-eminence,, of which, h^c was laudably ambitious. Enjoying a hereditary bravery, joined to a well cultivated underftanding, and an adive ipirit, he foon bqcame the bofom. friend of General Montgo-. mery, was his Aid de ca::ip, was entrufted with a fliarc ii\ the management of his mofl important ne-. C 35 ). , gocmtions, flood by his fide in the attack upoit Quebec, and being, as it were, animated by one common foul, and dear to each other in life — in . death, they were not a moment divided ! Here likewife fell Captain Cheefman, of the New-York forces, covered with honor, and la- mented by all who knev^ him, as an aftivc and gallant officer. His paticular merits, as well as the merits of fome others, who fliared his fate, ought to be more fully commemorated on this occafion, if proper accounts of them could be coliedted. 1 muft not, however, omit the name of the brave Captain Hendricks, who commanded one of the Penniylvania rifle companies, and was known to me from his infancy. He was indeed prodigal of his life, and courted danger out of his tour of duty. The command of the guard belonged to him, on the morning of the attak ; but he folicit- ed and obtained leave to take a more confpicuous poft^ and having led his men through the barrier, where his comnianding officer. General Arnold, was wounded, he long fuftained the fire of the garrifon with unfhaken firmnefs, tillatlafl:^ receiv- i^ig a fhot in his bread, he immediately expired. Such examples of magnanimity, filled even ad- verfaries with veneration and efteem. Forgetting the foes in the hexoes, they gathered up their breatiilefs rcmains^and committed them to kit^dred dufl, with pious hands, '* and funeral honors meet.'* So may your own remains, and particularly thine, O Carlton, be honored, (hould it ever be your fate to fall in hoftile fields ! Or if amid the various chaiic^s of wafj your lot foould be among the pri- .. .__ . .. _ _„ ._ lonesSb ( 36 ) foners and the wounded, may you be diftmguiOied with an ample return of that benevolence which you have iliev^'n to othen. Such oiSces of hurna- fiity, foftening the ;{avni>e fcenea o^ war, vvill en- title you to an honor which all the pride of con- quefl: cannot beftow, much lefs a conqueft ovqv kllow fubieds, contending for the common rights of freemen. Having now paid the honours due to the me- mories of our departed friends, what need I add more ? Illuftriou?, although fhorr^ was their race ! *' But old aee is not that vs^hich P:andeth h\ lenfnh of tiir.e, nor is. meafured by number of years— wifdom is the grey hair to man, aiid an uhfpotted life is old age." To iuch men, P.ome in all her glory would have decreed ho:iors; and the fcfolve of Congrefs, to tranfniit the niemory of their virtues, is worthy of that m.agnaiiiiiiivy which cght tochara(ftcrize pub- lic bodies. Jealous and arbitrary rulers are fparing of honors tothofe who fcjve them, left their own ^ ihould be thus eclipfed. But your luftre, gentle- men, can fufFer no dimanition this way • and the glcry you judly beftow upon others, will only be rcfleded to encreafe your own ! FINIS. -^. ^Mf . ift^^j jj,^ i>Si