Philadelphia. Almost to the last moment his mental faculties remained unimpaired, and with a pious resignation he commended his spirit to the will of heaven. After his death the posthumous honours conferred on his memory and services, were but little short of enthusiastic.

Congress ordered a general mourning for him in America for the space of one month. Obsequies were solemnized in Paris, and funeral panegyrics delivered by order of its municipality. The national assembly of France decreed a mourning of three days, and addressed a letter of condolence to the American congress, in which they style him the Nestor of America.

His works, philosophical, political, and literary, have been published in England, France, and America.

FLOYD, WILLIAM, one of the signers of the decla-. ration of independence, was born on Long-Island, New-York, December 17, 1734.

He received a liberal education, and afterwards confined himself to the pursuits of agriculture.) At an early period he embarked in the controversy between Great Britain and the colonies, and as it grew more animated, he became more conspicuous as an advocate of the rights of the people. It was doubtless from these considerations that he was appointed a delegate from New-York to the congress which met at Philadelphia in 1774.

In 1775, he was re-elected and took his seat in the general congress, which met in May, 1776. During this interesting and protracted session, he was actively and constantly employed on the numerous and important committees which particularly occupied a greater part of the attention of congress.

In 1777, he was elected a senator under the new

constitution of this state.

Of this body he was a

leading and influential member.

In 1778-9, he served as a delegate to the general congress; was a member of the board of admiralty, and of the board of treasury.

He was annually re-elected to congress until 1783, when he declined a re-election.

He was a member of the senate, upon the adoption of the federal constitution: he was likewise a member of the first congress, which met at NewYork, on the 4th March, 1789. At the close of this session, he now retired from public life, to the more peaceful shades of domestic retirement.

Subsequently he served thrice as a presidential elector, and once as a senator. On the 1st August, 1821, he was gathered to his fathers at the advanced age of eighty-seven years.

FAYETTE, MARQUIS DE LA, a major-general in the army of the United States.

The name and charácter of this illustrious French nobleman, will occupy a conspicuous place in our biographic annals, and be honoured by posterity no less for his enthusiastic love of liberty, than for his heroism and military renown.

In the year 1776, at the immature age of nineteen, he espoused the cause of the Americans, and nobly resolved to afford our country all possible assistance by his personal services and influence.) At this era, the affairs of America were bordering on despair, and were represented in France as so deplorable, that it might be supposed sufficient to repress the most determined zeal. Reports were propagated in that country, that our army, reduced to a mere rabble, was flying before an army of 30,000 regulars; nor was this very wide from the reality. In consequence of this, our commissioners found it

impossible to procure a vessel to convey the Marquis and their own despatches to congress; they could not therefore feel justified in encouraging his bold contemplated enterprise. This embarrassment, however, had the effect of increasing, rather than of restraining his youthful ardour and heroism. He at length imparted to the commissioners his determination to purchase and fit out a vessel to convey himself and their despatches to America. This project was deemed so extraordinary and important, that it did not fail to engage universal attention. The French court had not then declared even a friendly intention towards America, but, on the contrary, was extremely cautious of giving offence to the British government. Orders were therefore given, prohibiting the departure of this nobleman, and vessels were even despatched to the West-Indies to intercept him, in case he should take that route. The Marquis was well apprized that he exposed himself to the loss of his fortune by the laws of France; and that, should he fall into the hands of the English, on his passage, he would be liable to a confinement of uncertain duration, and without a prospect of being exchanged.

These considerations, however, did not deter him from the attempt; and bidding adieu to his amiable consort, and numerous endeared connexions, and trusting to good fortune to favour his elopement, he embarked, and in due time arrived safe in Charleston, in the summer of 1776. He landed soon after the noble defence made by General Moultrie, at the fort on Sullivan's Island. Charmed with the gallantry displayed by that general and his brave troops, the Marquis presented him with clothing, arms, and accoutrements, for one hundred men. He met with a cordial reception from our congress, and they immediately accepted his proffered services. He insisted that he would receive no compensation, and that he would commence his services as a volunteer.

This noble philanthropist was received into the family of the commander-in-chief, where a strong mutual attachment was contracted, and he has often been called the adopted son of Washington. July 31, 1777, congress resolved, that, "whereas the Marquis de la Fayette, out of his great zeal to the cause of liberty in which the United States are engaged, has left his family and connexions, and at his own expense come over to offer his services to the United States without pension or particular allowance, and is anxious to risk his life in our causeResolved, that his service be accepted, and that in consideration of his zeal, illustrious family, and connexions, he have the rank and commission of majorgeneral in the army of the United States." At the battle of Brandywine, September 1777, the Marquis exhibited full proof of his undaunted bravery and military character, and received a wound in his leg. In May 1778, with a select corps of 2,500 men, he crossed the Schuylkill and took post about twelve miles in front of our army at Valley Forge; while at this place the enemy formed a design of surprising him, but fortunately the Marquis gained intelligence of their approach, and by a prompt decision effected his retreat, and recrossed the river in season to defeat their design.

In August 1778, the Marquis repaired to RhodeIsland to assist in the expedition under General Sullivan, in conjunction with the French fleet, and he received the particular approbation and applause of congress for his judicious and highly important services. In January, 1779, the Marquis embarked at Boston, on a voyage to France.

He returned again in May, 1780, bringing the joyful intelligence that a French fleet and army would soon arrive on our coast.

Through his great zeal for the cause of the United States, he had exerted his influence with his government, no longer fearful of giving offence to the English, to afford money and troops, and other

important succours. He was soon put at the head of a select corps of light infantry for the service of the campaign. This afforded him a new opportunity for the display of his munificence. He presented to every officer under his command an elegant sword, and his soldiers were clothed in uniform principally at his expense. He infused into this corps a spirit of pride and emulation, viewing it as one formed and modelled according to his own wishes, and as deserving his highest confidence. They were the pride of his heart, and he the idol of their regard; constantly panting for an opportunity of accomplishing some signal achievement worthy of his and their character. In December, 1780, he marched with 1,200 light infantry for Virginia, to counteract the devastations of Arnold and Phillips. He made a forced march of 200 miles, and prevented General Phillips possessing himself of Richmond, and secured the stores of that place. At one period there was not a single pair of shoes in his whole command, and such was his zeal and erous spirit, and such the confidence and respect of the people, that he was enabled to borrow of the merchants of Baltimore 2,000 guineas on his own eredit, with which he purchased shoes and other necessary articles for his troops.

gen

He was afterwards employed in watching the motions of Lord Cornwallis in Virginia, with an inferior force; in this arduous duty he displayed the judgement, skill, and prudence of a veteran, with the ardour of youth.

Lord Cornwallis, having encamped near Jamestown, the Marquis sent General Wayne with the Pennsylvania troops, to take their station within a small distance of the British army and watch their motions. The two advanced parties were soon engaged, and General Wayne drove that of the enemy back to their lines, and without stopping there, attacked the whole British army drawn up in order of battle, and charged them with bayonets. The ac