not import goods from the mother country, unless this duty should also be repealed.

On the death of lord Botetourt, 1772, the king appointed lord Dunmore to succeed him as govern

or.

In May following, news reached Williamsburg, that parliament had passed an act to shut up the port of Boston. The house of burgesses, then in session, remonstrated at this tyrannical proceeding, and resolved that the first of June, the day on which the act was to go into operation, should be set apart as a day of fasting and prayer. But in the midst of these proceedings, the assembly was abruptly dissolved by order of the new governor. The members, however, met soon after, as private citizens, and appointed Mr. Randolph chairman. They drew up an address to their fellow citizens, declaring the late attack on the rights of the sister colony, menaced ruin to the rights of all. A committee of correspondence was appointed, of which he was one, to communicate with the other colonies, on the expediency of calling a general congress of delegates, to deliberate on the united interests of America, from time to time, as occasion might require.

Agreeably to this arrangement, the first general congress met in Philadelphia, September 4, 1774, and on the following day, he was called by the united voice of its members, to preside over their deliberations.

In 1775, he was again chosen its president. In a few days, however, after the meeting of congress, he was called to Virginia, to resume his situation as speaker of the house of burgesses, which had been called by the governor to consider the conciliatory proposition of lord North.

In a few weeks after, he returned to congress and again took his seat, and was one of its most active members. He was not destined, however, to witness the independence of the country he had loved and served so faithfully.

He died at Philadelphia of an apoplectic stroke October 22, 1775, in the fifty-second year of his

age.

As a politician, he was firm in his principles and steady in his opposition to foreign usurpation.

He presided with uncommon dignity; and although not eloquent, yet when he spoke his matter was so substantial, that no man commanded more attention. This, joined with the universal knowledge of his worth, gave him a weight in the assembly of Virginia, which few ever attained.

RUTLEDGE, JOHN, one of the signers of the federal constitution, took an early and distinguished part in support of the liberties of his country at the commencement of the American revolution. He was a member of the first congress which met at Philadelphia in 1774. His extraordinary powers, extensive knowledge, and irresistible eloquence, can be estimated by the high encomium bestowed on him by the celebrated Patrick Henry, of Virginia, who declared that in the first congress, when there was as brilliant a display of talent as was ever exhibited in a collected body of legislators, "that he shone with superior lustre." Being asked on his return to his native state, "what had been done by the representatives of the nation-what kind of men composed that illustrious body, and particularly whom he thought the greatest_man?" he replied, "if you speak of eloquence, John Rutledge, of South Carolina, is the greatest orator; but if you speak of information and sound judgment, colonel Washington is unquestionably the greatest man on the floor". Of his decision of character there can exist no doubt.

It was strongly exemplified at the very commencement of the revolutionary contest. When

the vote to appoint deputies to a continental congress was carried in the assembly of South Carolina, propositions were immediately introduced, for instructing the delegates to what point it was admissible for them to pledge the concurrence of the province to such measures as might be proposed for general adoption.

John Rutledge, with great ability contended, that unless unshackled by restraint, and allowed to act at discretion, that their power to do good would be inadequate to the energies which the crisis demanded; and being asked, "what ought we to do then with these men should they make a bad use of the power delegated to them?" he replied, "hang them."

When the temporary constitution of South Carolina was established in March, 1776, he was appointed its president, and commander-in-chief of the colony. He continued in this station till the adoption of the new constitution in March, 1778, to which he refused to give his assent. He was opposed to it, because it annihilated the council, reducing the legislative authority from three to two branches, and was too democratic in its features.

In 1779, however, he was chosen governor, with the authority, in conjunction with the council, to do whatever the public safety required. He soon after took the field at the head of the militia. His zeal and activity never knew abatement. His decision in refusing to sanction the abandonment of the fort on Sullivan's Island, on the approach of the fleet of Sir Peter Parker, must for ever redound to his honour, as the resistance of the intrepid garrison completely changed the plans of the enemy, and they precipitately withdrew to New-York.

But to his guidance of the helm of government, during the most calamitous scenes of the war within the state, is in a great degree to be attributed the successes ultimately obtained over a powerful and triumphant enemy. He at a very early period,

perceived the superior ability of general Greene to direct every military operation, and with indefatigable industry, seconded his views with all the influences of the civil authority. So mild and conciliating were all his actions, that obedience went hand in hand with command; and the ardour of zeal seemed rather to solicit service than seek the means of avoiding it.)

This eminent patriot and able statesman died January 23, 1800.)

RUTLEDGE, EDWARD, one of the signers of the declaration of independence, was born in the city of Charleston, South Carolina, in the month of November, 1749. He received a classical education, and at an early period commenced the study of the law with his elder brother.

In 1769, he was sent to England to complete his legal education, and was entered as a student at the Temple.

In 1773, he returned home, and commenced the practice of law in his native state. He rose rapidly to professional eminence; and as an exalted proof of the general esteem in which he was held, he was elected a delegate to congress, which met at Philadelphia in 1774. On his return home, he received the thanks of the provincial congress, and was again appointed a member of the next congress.

Owing to the secrecy which was observed by this august body, it is impossible to say what part he acted, but it is well known that he was an active and efficient member.

In the congress of 1776, he took an active part in the discussions which preceded the declaration of independence. He is said to have proposed some alterations to the original report of this cele

brated declaration, to which he afterwards affixed his name.

He was again appointed to congress in 1779, but sickness prevented his attending.

At the close of the war he returned to the practice of his profession, as well as devoted a greater part of seventeen years in the service of his country, and in the state legislature.

In 1798, he retired from the profession of the law, and was elected governor of the state; but he lived to complete only half the term for which he had been appointed. He bore his last illness with great fortitude, and expired January 23, 1800.

Mr. Rutledge possessed eminent virtues both as a public and private character. His manners were the most affable, his temper amiable, and his disposition benevolent. )

His person was above the middle size; his complexion was florid and fair, and with an unusual animation of countenance.)

As an orator he was not so impetuous and commanding as his brother John Rutledge, but possessed more of the Ciceronian style. There was a suavity in his manner, and conciliating attraction in his arguments, that had frequently the effect of subduing the prejudices of the unfriendly, and which never failed to increase the ardour and inflexibility of steady friends. The eloquence of John Rutledge was as a rapid torrent; that of Edward as a gentle and smoothly gliding stream; the first hurried you forward to the point it aimed at, with powerful impetuosity; the last conducted to it, with fascinations that made every progressive step appear enchanting.

RAMSAY, DAVID, a celebrated historian, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, April 2, 1749.