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MEMOIR

OP

R 0 BE R T S V A U X,

ONE OF TSE

VICE PRESIDENT]

OF THE

HISTORICAL ^P*C^ETY

>,•

PENNSYLVANIA,.. ,^,^

BY'TH6mAS M'KEiN PETTIT.

KEAB.ATA MEETINO OF THE COWNCtt OF THE SOOIETy, HEID ON
THE 18th day of MAKCH, 1840.

1840.

MEMOIR

ROBERTS VAUX,

ONE OF THE

VICE PRESIDENTS

OF THE

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

OF

PENNSYLVANIA.

BY THOMAS M'KEAN PETTIT.

READ AT A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE SOCIETY, HELD ON
THE 18TH DAY OF MAKCH, 1840.

1840.

At a Meeting of the Council of the HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF
PENNSYLVANIA, held January 20, 1836.
It was resolved, That the Society feel the deepest regret for the loss of
their late Vice President, the HON. ROBERTS VAUX, whose virtues en
deared him to his fellow citizens generally, and in particular to the members
of this Society; and whose name will be placed among the distinguished phi
lanthropists of the age.
Resolved, That that the Hon. Thomas M. Pettit be requested to prepare a Bio
graphical Memoir of the deceased, to be published in the next volume of this
Society's Transactions.
Resolved, That the Secretary transmit a copy of these Resolutions to the
family of the deceased, and that they be published in the Newspapers of this
City. Attest, JOB R. TYSON, Secretary.

MEMOIR, &c.

"Ad prodendam virtutis memoriam, sine gratia aut ambitione, bonae tan-
tum conscientiae pretio.'' Tacit. Agric.

ROBERTS VAUX, one of the Vice Presidents of the
Historical Society of Pennsylvania, was born at Philadel
phia, on the 2 1 St day of January, 1786.
Of the family, which was ancient and respectable, it is
known, that having migrated from France, the country of
their origin, to England, they were settled in the County of
Sussex, in possession of a large estate, a portion of which
was lost in the revolution of 16*8. George Vaux, the great
grandfather of our associate, was born on his paternal
estate near Reigate, in 1671. He was a man of learning,
and had a valuable library, including a curious and exten
sive collection of manuscript works on vellum. The Phila
delphia Library contains a latin Bible written in 1016,
which belonged to him, and which was sent by his son in
1768, as a present to the institution. He was a physician,
became a member of the Society of Friends, and died in
1741. He left one child, who bore his name. This son
was also educated and practiced as a physician in London.
He married a daughter of Jeremiah Owen, a merchant of
the metropolis, and died in March 1803, at an advanced

MEMOIR OF

age. He was buried in Friends Grave-yard at Reigate.
He left four sons and one daughter. Three of his children
remained in England, namely, George, a surgeon of emi
nence, and a medical writer of reputation, who died a bache
lor, at his residence in London in 1820, aged 76 years:
Susannah, a woman of vigorous mind and sound education,
who in her ninetieth year still lives unmarried near Reigate:
and Jeremiah, a physician, who died at his house in Birming
ham in 1825. Two of them came to Pennsylvania. One
of these, James, yet resides among us at a venerable age,
having uniformly sustained a high character for integrity
and worth, and having survived his only son, the late George
Vaux, a citizen whose memory will be long cherished on ac
count of his active public spirit, and many estimable quali
ties. The other was Richard, who came to Philadelphia
in early youth, and was placed according to the custom of
that day, as an apprentice in a merchants counting house.
He died in 1790, at the age of thirty-nine years, having es
tablished the reputation of an eminent merchant, and an
active, useful, and upright citizen. He had married Ann
Roberts, and thus became connected with one of the oldest
Pennsylvania families, Hugh Roberts the ancestor of Ann,
having arrived on our shores with William Penn, and settled
here in 1682. She died in 1814. The children of the mar
riage were Roberts, the subject of our sketch, and Susannah,
who was born in 1787, and died in 1814.
Roberts was educated at the Friends Academy, in Fourth
Street, an institution of which, it may be remarked, that
as it was the first in point of date, of our incorporated
Schools, so in its character, it has been regarded as one of
our best Seminaries. His latin teacher was James Thom
son, his mathematical instructor John D. Craig. At the age
of eighteen, he was placed in the counting house of John
Cooke, a merchant of high standing. After twenty-one, he en-

ROBERTS VAUX. O
gaged in mercantile business for a short time, — two or three
years only, when controlled by a pious obligation, assumed
under circumstances of deep solemnity, he devoted himself
to the welfare of his fellow creatures.
At this early age we have abundant evidence of the
soundness of his principles, the benevolence of his disposi
tion, and the enlarged and expansive character of his views.
Blessed with health and competence, holding a position in
society, which gave him all the advantages of the best in
tercourse, he had the moral firmness to resist the tempta
tions of the passions, to withstand the allurements of folly,
to counteract the blandishments by which vice is made at
tractive, and to mark out for himself a career of virtue and
honour, of activity and usefulness. He not only felt, but
resolved to act upon the philanthropic principle of deeming
nothing foreign to his bosom which belonged to humanity;
and he practically applied to his own case the classic illus
tration of the grounds of such beneficence.
" Vel me monere hoc, vel percontari puta;
Rectum cat? ego ut faciam; non est? te ut deterream." Ter.
While yet in his minority, he had shown his public spirit
in various ways, particularly in actively aiding, as one of
the founders, in the establishment of the Philadelphia Hose
Company; the first organized of those valuable institutions,
which are among the cherished objects of the pride of our
city; and he had manifested his interest in the cause of learn
ing by his services, first as Secretary, and then a Vice
President of the American Literary Association, which was
composed of some of the respectable young men of that
period. The spirit thus displayed, never flagged in energy, nor
faltered in efficiency, through the whole course of his life.
2

MEMOIR OF

Ardent in his disposition, and direct in his objects, the force
of his character never yielded to difficulties. Keen in his
sympathies, and quick in his sensibilities, his industry and
perseverance in well doing never failed. Liberal in his
sentiments, and kind in his affections, his generosity knew
no limits, but those imposed by an upright judgment. Pure
in his aspirations, and unsuspicious in his temperament, his
mind was unclouded by selfishness, and his heart retained
all its warmth, unaffected by the indurating experience,
which is too often acquired by contact with the world.
The vigour of a fine intellect, rich stores of useful informa
tion, a knowledge of men and business obtained by judicious
observation and careful training, which, combined, could
have been successfully exerted in the acquisition of wealth,
or the gratification of political ambition, were all employed
for the benefit of the human race.
An accurate account of his life would present a history
of many of the most valuable public institutions of Philadel
phia. His excellent education and good taste, united him
with several prominent literary enterprizes, and thus in
duced him to furnish publications creditable to his talents,
as a writer and a man of letters. His benevolence and
energy were conspicuously exhibited in an extensive field
of activity, and connected him with the cause of public edu
cation, prison discipline, and numerous plans of cjjarity and
humanity. His reputation for ability and integrity, was too
decided to permit him to enjoy entirely the choice of his
employments; and while he refused more than one post of
responsibility and dignity, under the general government
of his country, he yet found time for the disinterested dis
charge of various honourable and elevated duties, imposed
upon him by the executive of the state of his birth. I will
now proceed to make a brief reference to some of the most
important of these acts and services.

ROBERTS VAUX.

As early as 1807, he manifested his interest in the cause
of education, by becoming a member of the society for the
establishment and support of Charity Schools. But, useful
as were his services here, they were surpassed by the su
perior value of his efforts in relation to the establishment,
and superintendence of the Lancasterian Schools in this
city and county, and the impetus which he was mainly in
strumental in giving to the cause of general education in
the Stale. His exertions were indefatigable in every proper
mode, particularly by correspondence with public function
aries, and by awakening the popular mind, through the
agency of essays and appeals, in the newspaper and periodical
press. In 1817, he was designated by the Pennsylvania
Society, for the promotion of public economy, to be chair
man of the committee on public schools. The founder of
our commonwealth was, on this, as on many other great
points of political philosophy, far in advance of the age in
which he lived. Thus, in 1682, in the laws agreed upon in
England, it was provided, " that all children within the pro
vince of the age of twelve years,shou]d be taught some useful
trade or skill, to the end none may be idle, but the poor may
work to live, and the rich, if they become poor, may not
want." The constitution of 1776 recognised a public pro
vision for county schools, and the constitution of 1790 en
joined the Legislature to provide for schools in such man
ner, " that the poor might be taught gratis." When the
committee above referred to entered upon their office, the
spirit which had dictated these various requisitions was
slumbering. The imperfect system adopted in 1809, had
proved abortive. The committee after much persevering
industry, succeeded in effecting the establishment of the
schools, under the act of 1818. This law, with some use
ful modifications has to this day, continued in force in this
district; the system based upon it, embracing large buildings,

MEMOIR OF

with able teachers, and a full supply of pupils, each school
being under the immediate superintendence of the proper
board of sectional directors, and the whole under the su
pervision of a board of controllers, invested with extensive
powers. Of the last mentioned body, Roberts Vaux was
chosen the first president in 1818. He was annually re
elected till December 1831, when, according to a notice
previously given by him, he resigned the station. For
thirteen years, he applied the strong energies of his mind,
and a large portion of his time, to this important undertaking,
inspiring by his conduct, universal respect and confidence.
To the teachers he was a faithful counsellor, and efficient
friend ; to the pupils a paternal adviser, and at all times,
welcome visiter. Labours of this kind are truly seen only
in their valuable results ; but he has perpetuated evidence
of his services, in the series of annual reports, which were
the production of his pen, and which present a true history
of the institution, and a useful compendium of principles,
maxims, and practical remarks. His heart was deeply en
gaged in the first foundation of this work : as it expanded
in usefulness, his just pride became awakened, and experi
ence confirming the wisdom of what had been done, his
continued efibrts were sustained by his dehberate judg
ment. In reference to the original organization of the
school system, to the unremitted support which it received,
to the degree of mental power and physical exertion which
were devoted to it, it is speaking but the general sentiment,
to assert that the highest meed of praise is due to our
associate. His resignation caused a profound sensation
among his colleagues, the preceptors, and the numerous
pupils, and attested the hold he had obtained upon their
esteem and affection. From every board of directors, he
was presented with a gratifying address; from every school

ROBERTS VAUX.

he was rewarded with a pleasing testimonial. The con
trollers in their letter of December 19, 1831, said,
" A long course of faithful, judicious, and unremitting
attention to the interests of the public school system of this
district, prompted by the purest motives, and sustained by
unwearied zeal, entitles you to the respectful gratitude of
the community for which you have successfully laboured,
while a frank and dignified intercourse, and an independen-
dent discharge of your duties in this board, have conciliated
and secured the esteem and attachment of your col
leagues." The teachers in their address to him, after a warm ex
pressions of the feelings of regret which his resignation had
excited, used this language.
" With sentiments of sincere respect, strengthening with
every year's acquaintance, we hasten to make known the
grateful emotions we feel, in view of the many instances of
your friendly co-operation we have experienced in the dis
charge of our important duties. When discouraged by ad
verse or unpropitious circumstances, your counsel has ever
been ready to instruct and animate; and out endeavours to
mete out knowledge, have been rendered more efficient by
your countenance and support. We doubt not, that hun
dreds and thousands of the youth, who have been receiving
the elements of knowledge and morality in our public
schools, will cherish, with gratitude and affection, the many
salutary lessons they have heard from your lips, and will
rise up to honour your name, and do credit to that system
of education, of which you have been the patron and zealous
advocate, while the triumphs of Christian philanthropy con
tinue to attest its superiority over all the schemes of infi
delity, and all the glory of this world.
We unite in the conviction expressed by your worthy

10 MffilOIR OF
and highly respected colleagues, that the invaluable work,
in which you have been for fourteen years engaged, will
long continue among the most gratifying reminiscences of
your life."
But it was not only to the City and County of Philadelphia
that his views were directed. He was the most effective of
the founders of the Pennsylvania Society for the promotion
of public schools, and served as its President. In arousing
general interest, and bringing about Legislative enactment
upon this important topic, he was conspicuously useful; and
the improved plan of public education, in force in our Com
monwealth, before his decease, furnished conclusive and
gratifying proof, that his activity, in common with that of
his coadjutors, had not been employed in vain.
A large portion of his lime and attention, was assigned to
the subject of Prison discipHne. In 1821, he was appointed
a commissioner for devising a plan, and superintending the
erection of the Eastern Penitentiary; and for draughting a
code of laws and regulations adapted to the separate con
finement of criminals. For seven years he continued ac
tively and earnestly engaged in duties growing out of, or
connected with, the objects of this appointment. Of " The
Philadelphia Society, for alleviating the miseries of public
prisons," he was Secretary, and a member of the committee
of correspondence for twenty-one years, and for some time
was one of the Vice Presidents. During the term of his as
sociation with this body, he prepared nearly all its memo
rials to the State Legislature, containing valuable facts,
arguments, and suggestions. In public letters to William
Roscoe, Esq., of Great Britain, he defended its principles
and purposes ; and in 1826, wrote and published in a large
pamphlet, an excellent history of its labours. This production
was entitled, " Notices of the original and successive efforts

ROBERTS VAUX. 11
to improve the discipline of the Prison at Philadelphia, and to
reform the Criminal Code of Pennsylvania, with a few ob
servations on the Penitcnitary System."
After preliminary remarks tending to establish the
position, that accelerated improvement has every where
attended the mitigation of penalties, and a just notice of the
conduct of a citizen, who, under the dictates of a judicious
benevolence, administered out of his individual means, to
the necessities of the inhabitants of the jail, which was then
situated at the south-wBst corner of High and Third streets,
the author proceeds to an exhibition of the efforts of a
society formed in 1776, under the name of " The Philadel
phia Society for assisting distressed prisoners." After a
brief career of usefulness, this association was terminated
by the transactions of the war ; and in 1787, " The Philadel
phia Society, for alleviating the miseries of public pri
sons," was established. Under the influence of that spirit
which declared that " inasmuch as ye have done it unto one
of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me,"
this institution steadily and wisely exerted its means in the
fulfilment of the great ends to which it was devoted. The
prominent measures of the society, from the dale of its ex
istence to the signal work achieved, with its active and
powerful co-operation, in the act ameliorating the penal
laws, passed in 1794, are set forth and illustrated, with use
ful precision and appropriate praise. It was found, how
ever, that much remained to be done in regard to the inter
nal police of the prison; and the great improvements which
the subsequent history displays, are traced in a great mea
sure to the discriminating liberality and indefatigible labours
of this body. It being farther demonstrated by experience
that the limits of the jail at Philadelphia, in comparison
with the uses to which it was applied, were so contracted,
as to obstruct the progress of improvement in its manage-

12 MEMOIR OF
ment, and to defeat the results which, under proper cir
cumstances, might be expected from the penitentiary sys
tem, exertions were employed to remedy these evils; and,
in 1821, a successful effort was made to procure the passage
of a law for the erection of a penitentiary for the eastern
district of the state, in which the benefits of solitude and
hard labour could be fairly and effectually proved. A few
remarks of a practical nature, are made on the subject of
capital punishment, and the most judicious mode of inflict
ing it; and the pamphlet closes with tables exhibiting the
number of criminals in the jail at Philadelphia, from 1787
to the beginning of 1826, and the offences, for which they
were convicted. The whole of this little work is charac
terized by the soundness of a judgment, informed by expe
rience, and tempered by humanity.*
The successful termination of the controversy, respecting
the present Pennsylvania system of prison discipline, afforded
him the highest pleasure, as he had so eminently contributed
to it. Itiis evident to any one who investigates the subject
impartially, that the addition of labour to solitary confine
ment, was always contemplated by the real friends of the
plan as an inherent feature of its ultimate execution. In
deed, the suggestion can be traced back certainly to the
preamble of a proposed, but never adopted statute, drawn up
in 1779, under the direction of Sir William Blackstone, with
the advice and concurrence of the illustrious Howard. The
scheme here, however, was attacked by men of pure mo
tives, and of great abiUty and influence, with arguments
based upon the assumption, that the confinement was to be
not only solitary, but without labour. In one of the letters
to Mr. Roscoe, the true ground is distinctly taken, and
* I have felt at liberty to use, freely, a brief notice of this pamphlet prepared
by myself, and inserted in a newspaper immediately after its publication.

ROBERTS VAUX. 13
among the modes of punishment devised for oflences com
mitted after conviction, that of withholding from th& pri
soner the means of performing his labour is prominently
pointed out. At present the chief elements of the system, are
seclusion, useful labour, and moral and religious instruction.
The great experiment may be deemed to be solved, and
among those who, by their talents, perseverance, industrious
zeal and firmness, aided the work, the name of Roberts
Vaux, will always hold an elevated rank.
In deeds of charity and benevolence, the kindness of his
disposition found extensive exercise, and his disinterested
activity full employment. His judicious and efficient ser
vices for many years as a manager of the Pennsylvania
Hospital, have been acknowledged in the deep gratitude of
numerous sufferers, relieved by exertions to which he con
tributed, and have been rewarded by the satisfactory exhi
bition of the success of efforts, in which he had a share, to
mitigate the woes and assuage the anguish of mortality.
Of the Frankford Asylum for the Insane, he was an un
wearied member of the building committee, and for several
years a manager. But for his perseverance in advance of
its establishment, and his energy in its actual foundation, it
is probable that our invaluable Pennsylvania institution for
the instruction of the Blind, of which he became Vice Pre
sident, and which now diffuses so many and such precious
blessings, would never have had existence. The Pennsyl
vania Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, of which also he
was an officer, was a favourite object of his notice, and, in
its organization, and when contending with great difficulties,
received a large portion of his attention. In the Philadel
phia Dispensary ; the first Infant School Association ; the
Vaccine Society, and other bodies, the mere list of which
would require considerable space, his influence was perceived
and appreciated. Indeed, there was hardly an institution
3

14 MEMOIR OF
among us essentially humane in its purposes, to which he
did not freely make contributions, sometimes of his labour,
sometimes of his purse, and generally of both. His cha
racter for beneficence occasioned many calls on his libe
rality. He gave a ready obedience to the inspired admoni
tion; "To do good and to communicate, forget not; for
with such sacrifices God is well pleased." As discrimina
tion became an obvious and imperative duty, no small
amount of his care was devoted to the judicious selection
of subjects of an expanded private bounty. It is known that
his benefactions were larger than can be easily estimated
by those who were not in the enjoyment of his intimate and
confidential intercourse.
The great Temperance Reformation was much indebted
to his enlightened foresight, and indefatigable zeal. Before
it had forced itself by its intrinsic merits into general favour,
he stood committed in this eminently good cause. As Pre
sident of the Pennsylvania State Temperance Society; as
President of the State Temperance Convention; and as a
Vice President of the United States Temperance Convention,
the decided weight of his character was felt, and the pow
erful influence of his opinions was recognized in one of the
noblest enterprizes of the age. Such unquestionably useful
institutions as the Apprentices Library Company, and the
Philadelphia Saving Fund Society, of each of which he was
an active founder^ and an attentive officer, might be dwelt
upon to swell our catalogue. This branch of our subject
will, however, be dismissed with a reference to the fact, that
the impulse to the citizens of Philadelphia, which led to the
establishment of the House of Refuge, was communicated
through an address of the Prison Society drawn up by his
hand, and read by him at a public meeting.
Our associate was also, connected with the most distin
guished literary and learned bodies of Philadelphia. It may

ROBERTS VAUX. 15
be sufficient to mention the Academy of Natural Sciences,
the Linnaean Society, the Franklin Institute, the American
Philosophical Society, and the Athenaeum. In each of the
two last named associations, he was in an especial manner
esteemed as an active, efficient, and useful member; one of
the founders, indeed, of the Athenaeum, and for many years
its Vice President.
I have reserved for a distinct notice his connexion with
our own society. Proud of his native State, of the charac
ter of her institutions, and of her solid reputation, he was
anxious that her good name should be still farther extended,
and the influence of her social establishments still more widely
diffused. An effective mode of aiding in the accomplish
ment of such a desire, he believed, to consist in a careful
preservation of the records of the earliest transactions of
her people, and in the elucidation of her natural, civil, and
literary history. One of the original small number of citi
zens, who concerted the plan of the Historical Society, and
conspicuous, if not the chief, among those who laid the
foundation stone of the edifice, he was eager and indus
trious in a praiseworthy zeal to contribute to give stability
to the superstructure. His Memoir on the locality of the
great Treaty between William Penn and the Indian natives,
and his anniversary discourse, demonstrating, that the con
duct of the founder and his associates towards their bene
factors, was both generous and just, are .Tmong our printed
collections : and having obtained for him while living, our
admiration and thanks, now tend to swell the measure of
our respect and veneration for his memory.
Of the kindred institution, designed to commemorate the
landing of William Penn, he was also a founder, and one of
the directors. The suggestion in the concluding paragraph
of his Memoir on the Treaty ground, to erect a durable
monument with appropriate inscriptions, on the site of the

16 MEMOIR OF
great Elm at Kensington, has been happily carried into ef
fect by this society, through a committee of which he had
the pleasure of being a member.
Besides the productions of his pen already adverted to
in the course of this sketch, he was the author of many oc
casional addresses and reports, which exhibited the usual
vigour and clearness of his style. Two of his works, how
ever, deserve a more particular notice.
In 1815, he pubhshed the " Memoirs of the Lives of Ben
jamin Lay, and Ralph Sandiford, two of the earliest public
advocates for the emancipation of the enslaved Africans."
Lay was born in England. He came to Philadelphia in
1731, having resided for the preceding thirteen years in the
West Indies. He died in Montgomery County, Pennsyl
vania, in 1759, at the age of eighty-two years, having for
nearly half a century, continued with indefatigable perse
verance to bear his independent testimony against African
slavery. He was a man of extraordinary eccentricity, with
remarkably rigid habits of self-denial and frugality. His
zeal was not only thoroughly honest, but it was without
the slightest intermission in the dissemination of his princi
ples, and in the generous defence of a cause which had
then but few open advocates. Sandiford was born in Eng
land. In early life he came to Philadelphia, and in the
prosecution of commerce, visited the West Indies. He died
in Philadelphia, in 1733, when forty years old. He too,
became so deeply and earnestly engaged in the work of
African emancipation, that he sought opportunities of pro
voking discussion in regard to it wherever he went. He
displayed entire fearlessness when opposed by prejudice,
or assailed by selfish interests, or threatened with penalties
by provincial power. The biographer speaks of him as
both " pious and enlightened." The object of the author
of this little work, was to rescue from unmerited forgetful-

ROBERTS VAUX. 17
ness the names and services of men who, he thought, de
served to be held in honourable estimation, and the merit
of whose exertions, can be appreciated only by those who
keep in mind, the general and intense opposition which ex
isted to their views and wishes. This purpose was faithfully
and agreeably accomplished.
In 1817, he published " Memoirs of the Life of Anthony
Benezet." This humble minded, but exemplary person, was
born in France, in 1713. His parents were of the protes-
tant faith, and having suffered severely for their attachment
to their religious opinions, carried their child to England.
At the age of eighteen, he came to Philadelphia, where he
resided till the time of his death, in 1784; distinguished for
unwearied zeal and ability in his labours as a philanthro
pist, and eminently as the friend of the Indian and the Afri
can. The author did not present this work, as " a finished
portraiture of the life of this excellent man," but as " a mere
sketch of some of its features." It is a happily conceived, and
well executed memorial of an individual of true modesty,
but who had won the illustrious title of a benefactor of the
human race.
There is an incident connected with the publication of the
Life of Benezet, which ought to be here stated, and which
speaks for itself. The following letter from an unknown
source, was sent to the writer:
" Dear Sir,
Having by divine goodness received instruc
tion, and I humbly trust, some improvement from the fre
quent contemplation of the character of that truly great
man, the late Anthony Benezet, I think there is a propriety
in my selecting the author of his life, to present the en
closed donation of five hundred dollars, to the Provident

18 MEMOIR OF
Society, for the employment of the poor, the receipt of
which you will acknowledge in the ' National Gazette.'
your obliged friend,
A friend to the employment of the poor.
March, 1824, 7
ROBERTS VAUX, Esq." S
The author who had reaped such a blessed reward for
his labour, accordingly had the peculiar gratification of
handing, on the 19th March, 1824, the sum of $500 to Mr.
Ralston, the Treasurer of the designated Society.
Preparations to a considerable extent were made by our
friend, for a second, and much enlarged edition of this
pleasing little book. The complete execution of so de
sirable a project was arrested by the hand of death.
A citizen so eminent for useful and disinterested exertion
could hardly be overlooked, when either the people them
selves, or those entrusted with executive power, had to
chose public figents. Though he more than once declined
being presented as a candidate for legislative trust, yet his
native city had the benefit of his services in her common
council, in the years 1814, 15, and 16. His appointment
for the series of years already mentioned, as a director and
controller of the public schools, sprung from the city coun
cils, through all the variations of party ascendancy; and it
deserves to be recorded, that the strength of his reputation
for undoubted purity, and effective philanthropy, so far sub
dued into a sacred respect for the cause of education, even
the spirit of party, which rarely spares anything however hal
lowed, that no changes in the school department were made
on political grounds. It was from the councils, also, that he
received the honourable appointment of director of the Gi-
rard Trust, in 1832, an office which ceased to exist on the
repeal of the first ordinance upon that subject.

ROBERTS VAUX. 19
In 1833, he was appointed by the President, with the
advice of the Senate, a- director of the Bank of the United
States. This position he declined. He had been previously
designated by President Jackson, for the very important post
of commissioner, to treat with the Indians under an act of
Congress, passed on the 14lh July 1832. The law required
the commissioners to visit and examine the country set
apart for the emigrating Indians, west of the Mississippi
river, to ascertain and report proper places of location for
such tribes as might yet wish to remove to that country; to
endeavour to arrange difficulties between hostile tribes, and
to report a plan for the improvement, government, and
security of the Indians. He was selected with two distin
guished citizens of the south and west, both governors of
states. Though many of the duties were congenial with
his disposition, and would certainly have been admirably
performed by his energy and intelligence, yet he questioned
the adequacy of his own experience, in the peculiar know
ledge required; and when it was found that the employment
of a considerable military force, under the immediate
direction of the commissioners, was embraced in the plan
of operations, marked out by the war department, he felt
himself compelled to surrender the trust. This nomination
to a station, which was national in its objects, and at the
time, generally regarded with a deep and solemn interest,
was received with marked and emphatic approbation by
the press of the country, and is now referred to as furnish
ing strong evidence of the wide extent of the reputation for
public spirit and philanthropic worth, vvhich our associate
enjoyed throughout the Union.
By the executive of Pennsylvania, under different political
influences, he was honoured with unequivocal testimonials
of esteem and confidence. In 1821, he was appointed by
Governor Hiester, to be one of nine commissioners to

20 MEMOIR OF
investigate the causes and extent of pauperism within the
city and liberties of Philadelphia, under an act of assembly.
The commissioners were also to report a plan for the future
support and government of the district. At the first meet
ing of the board in May, 1821, he was chosen its President.
For more than eight months, the labours of this body were
severe, and those of its President incessant. A report in
part, embodying many valuable facts, was made to the
legislature in February, 1822; but as the powers of the
board, owing to a defect in the law, were insufficient to
effect the objects contemplated, and there was no additional
enactment, the commissioners relinquished their office.
The same chief magistrate also in person, tendered to him,
and in the kindest and most friendly tone, pressed upon his
acceptance, the appointment of alderman of the city. This
station, however, he deemed it proper to decline.
In 1833, Governor Wolf appointed him under a legislative
resolution, one of the three commissioners to treat with
commissioners of New Jersey, respecting certain obstruc
tions to the use of the waters of the river Delaware. It was
a point of some solicitude with the chief magistrate to se
cure in this commission, the highest amount of character
and ability. The trust was assigned to our friend in a
manner complimentary and gratifying. A report of the
transactions of the board was subsequently made to the
executive, for transmission to the legislature.
I must not omit to mention that besides being enrolled on
the list of honorary or corresponding members of the prin
cipal Historical and Antiquarian Societies of the several
stales of the confederacy, he was dignified with the compli
ment of being chosen an honorary member of the British
and Foreign School Society ; — an honorary member of the
society for the improvement of prison discipline in Great
Britain ; a corresponding member of the society of Paris
for the improvement of elementary instruction; and a foreign

ROBERTS VAUX. 21
member of the Royal society of northern antiquaries at
Copenhagen. The deep feeling of pride in his native State, which
caused him to investigate with uncommon care, and to
desire to see preserved, as valuable treasure, every thing
which could elucidate the history or the habits of her earliest
days, induced him also to form a considerable collection of
Pennsylvania antiquities, particularly of pictures and manu
scripts. It was among his delights to dwell upon the asso
ciations which they awakened.
The conspicuous position which he occupied as a citizen,
imposed upon him an extensive correspondence. This em
braced not merely the topics immediately connected with
his views as a moralist, and his exertions as a philanthropist,
numerous as those topics were, but included also subjects
of a wide political scope. With eminent men in Europe
and America, he interchanged information and opinions,
and by some of his distinguished countrymen, holding high
places of government, he was occasionally consulted on
serious questions of general moment. His sentiments, rest
ing on a broader basis of principle and truth, than partisan
zeal or temporary expediency could comprehend, were
often sagacious and profound, and were communicated with
the confidence, which an independent spirit feels in uttering
the deliberate conclusions of well informed and conscien
tious judgment. The ability displayed in his letters, uni
formly increased among those who had the benefit of pe
rusing them, the respect, however elevated, which they had
previously entertained for his character. His epistles to
personal friends, partaking of the freedom of social inter
course, were remarkable, not only for kindness of tone, but
also for purity of thought and diption, and, wjien the occasion
permitte4 it> for a sprightliness, which gave them a peculiar
charm. 4

32 MEMOIR OF
Among the strong traits which caused him to be of in
calculable value to our city, was his liberal hospitality. His
civility to the sojourner was not limited to the mere courte
sies of a visit or an entertainment, though even in these he
was generous to profusion, but it was expanded into that
feeling, which prompts to the careful study of the wishes of
the guest, and to the free devotion of lime and exertion to
their gratification. Few of our inhabitants received so
many letters from Europe, and our sister states, introducing
distinguished and respectable gentlemen to the kindness of
the intellectual portion of our society. He was prominent
among those who gratified themselves, and did honour to
the city of brotherly love, by extending to the stranger the
cordial welcome to which he is entitled. His familiarity
with our public establishments, in their spirit, and in their
details, enabled him to render, and he did it with the ready
cheerfulness of a uniformly kind disposition, important ser
vice to those who were engaged in investigating their ob
jects, or their history.
That such an individual as our associate should have
strong religious convictions might be expected. He had
thought deeply of the solemn relation of man to his Creator.
He was a firm and consistent member of the Society of
Friends, and his opinions were in conformity with the ap
proved faith of thai body. An humble disciple of Jesus Christ,
he was a steadfast believer in His Holy Gospel. In all en
deavours to advance the welfare of his fellow men, he was
sincerely affected by the awful consciousness of responsi
bilily to the Almighty; — and to His Holy Spirit, he con
stantly applied for aid and encouragement in his active
charity. His reverence for the Giver of all good, was so
deeply seated in his heart, that it evidently influenced his
ordinary habits and deportment. He was partial to such
works, as he thought expounded with simplicity the lead-

ROBERTS VAUX. 23
ing truths of the Old and New Testament; and he often re
ferred to the writings of Fox and Penn, as exhibiting correct
views of religious doctrine, and wholesome elements of pure
morality. For theological controversy, however, he had
no taste, while his fondness for the Bible, was as decided as
his knowledge of its contents was accurate. It was a sen
timent which he infused with earnest care into the hearts
of his children, that no man could be truly great or useful,
whose conduct was not under the government of religious
principle; and it was among the truths which he loved
to instill into the minds of the young, who so often came
within the reach of his admonitions, that sound religious
knowledge operating upon the affections and the life, would
more assuredly obtain for them real respectability and hap
piness, than the most splendid merely human acquisitions,
whether of learning, or of wealth. His attendance at
stated meetings for worship, was punctual and regular, ad
mitting of no interruption which could be avoided. It was
remarked, that if in the middle of the week, the perform
ance of his duty as a visiting manager of the Pennsylvania
Hospital happened to interfere, as it occasionally did, with
his accustomed devotional service in the Twelfth Street
Meeting House, he always obviated the apparent difficulty,
by joining his friends at the Arch Street Meeting, on the
succeeding day. The duties of each morning were com
menced by his reading to his assembled family a portion of
of the Holy Scriptures, the " understanding" of which, he
held to be "a wellspring of life unto him that hath it."
Though his philanthropic spirit, as we have seen, was
not controlled by sectarian association, he yet thought, that
in being faithful to the interests of his own religious denomi
nation, he could not be false to any other duty. Though
several establishments might be designated, it will be suffi
cient for the illustration of this point to state, that having

24 MEMOIR OF
been one of the originators of the " Philadelphia Associa
tion of Friends, for the instruction of poor children," he
served as a director, and for three years as secretary; and
that he was a member of the Bible Society of Friends, in
America. In a letter written about a year before his death, at a
time when he thought that great wrong had been done, in
regard to some of his purposes and his motives, not by ene
mies, for " their reproaches he could have borne," but by
men who were his "equals, his guides, and his acquain
tances," he used the following language.
" On a review of my life now approaching a period of
half a century, I cannot charge myself with having coveted
any one's possessions, — nor have my own been increased at
the cost of others. The spoils of the poor and the gains of
oppression, have not enriched me. The acquirement of
wealth by the means ordinarily adopted to obtain it, my
soul loathes. The time and health which Providence has
bestowed upon me, have been devoted with sincere inten
tions of rendering some benefit to my fellow beings ; how
ever far I may have fallen short of the fulfilment of a co
venant, made with my Creator at a moment of deep afflic
tion, thus to employ the residue of my days."
Conduct so pure that calumny dare not even breathe
upon it, and the daily and hourly performance " in the fear
of God," of acts of kindness and benevolence, must soon
work out a triumphant vindication against the rash deduc
tions of inconsiderate error. He lived long enough to feel
that on the points referred to, justice had resumed her sway.
To the covenant mentioned in this letter I have already al
luded. It was made when he was quite a young man, on
the loss of her whom he called his " precious sister." The
only other child of his parents, she had grown up with him
in the sacred confidence of pure and joyous sisterly love.

ROBERTS VAUX. 25
entwining herself around his heart, and taking hold of all
that was kind, and generous, and tender, in his deepest
affections. The covenant with his maker, thus solemnly
made, he never renounced. The very decided influence
which the virtues and the death of this noble minded and
most lovely companion of his youth, had upon his whole
career, has seemed to require that they should not be over
looked in the preparation of this brief memorial.
The notice of one other public trust will bring us to the
close of his valuable life. In October, 1835, the chief ma
gistrate of the commonwealth desired him to accept a com
mission, as an associate Justice of the Court of Common
Pleas, for the City and County of Philadelphia. When it
became known that a vacancy by resignation was about to
occur, it was thought that the character of the court would
be elevated by the appointment of such a man as Roberts
Vaux. This office, really dignified in itself, and to which
great power belonged, for good or for evil, had not, up to
that time, owing to the small amount of its salary, (hardly
more than nominal,) always been filled by men of the de
sired weight of character. The learned President of the
Court was anxious that our associate should accept the sta
tion, sensible how large an amount of important duty, and,
consequently, how great a share of heavy responsibility
could be devolved upon him. Governor Wolf, who had
been on terms of friendly intimacy, and had held much con
fidential correspondence with him, tendered him the office
in a letter expressed in kind and gratifying language.
Under a sacred conviction of duty, it was accepted. It
may be here remarked, that our friend's great-grand-father,
Edward Roberts, had occupied the same judicial chair.
Judge Vaux took his seat on the bench early in November,
and was unremitting in his devotion to his new functions,
until the beginning of January. Some long and interesting

26 MEMOIR OF
causes occupied the time of the court, and deeply engaged
his mind. On Monday, the 4th January, he returned to his
home, complaining of being unwell. His general health
had been good, but his recent intense application, requiring
a change from the habits of his former active life, had plain
ly afliected his bodily frame. He continued indisposed on
Tuesday and Wednesday, but no alarming symptoms were
visible, and no serious apprehensions were awakened. On
Thursday morning, however, the practiced eye of his friend,
and skilful family physician. Dr. Caspar Wistar, perceived
the dark cloud that was hanging over the family circle.
Another eminent physician. Dr. Hartshorne, was called in
for consultation; but the efforts of conjugal and filial love,
and of professional knowledge and experience were alike
unavailing. A virulent scarlet fever had seized upon the
vital organs. His power of articulation so rapidly left him,
that he could communicate with his family only by motions
of his hands. He was, however, evidently conscious of his
condition, and of all that was passing around him, and there
is consolation in the well founded belief, that his mind was
full of Christian firmness and composure. He expired on
Thursday, the 7th of January, 1836, about five o'clock in
the afternoon, being within a few days of fifty years of
age. His death created a profound sensation, not only in the
wide range of his personal friendships, but also through
the whole extent of the community, in which he was so
universally known and esteemed. The briefness of his
illness taught most impressively, the solid wisdom of his
beautiful example, of being always enabled, under Divine
guidance, so to live as never to be unprepared to die.
His life exhibited a predominating quality of energetic
benevolence. In undertakings requiring intellectual exer-

ROBERTS VAUX. 27
tion, he was comprehensive and bold, displaying decided
ability, and a ready command of ample information. What
ever the pure impulses of his heart prompted, his hand was
willing to perform, and neither time nor labour, nor pecu
niary contribution was withheld from the work. In his
conversation, he drew upon a great fund of knowledge, the
result of sound reading, and close observation of mankind.
His disposition was sociable, courteous, kind, and affable ; —
his companionship was rendered captivating by the cheer
fulness, always amounting to agreeable humour, and some
times approaching to chastened wit, by which his sterling
quafities were embellished. In his affairs, he was liberal
and scrupulously punctual. As a personal friend, no man
could be more sincere, steadfast, or effective ; his conduct
to those who sought his advice, and they were many, proved
him to be a safe, discreet, judicious, and enlightened coun
sellor. In 1813, he married Margaret, the daughter of Thomas
Wistar. This union was blessed with happiness. But I
will not, by dwelling on his domestic virtues, invade the
sanctity of the peaceful home in which they were eminently
displayed. His widow and two sons survive to lament the
irreparable loss which they sustained in his departure from
them, in the full maturity of his powers and his usefulness.

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