The inefficacy of the old confederation for the preservation of public peace, became palpable soon after the close of the war. The powers vested in the several states were too great to afford any prospect of permanent union, and it was only by the formation of the supreme head, to direct the clashing measures, guard the opposing interests, and coerce the ill-advised and dangerous views of the several subordinate governments, that the independence and tranquillity which had succeeded one of the noblest efforts recorded in the political history of the world, could be preserved.

He contributed with his usual ability and perseverance, to reconcile the conflicting interests and opinions of the delegates, and perfect that towering monument of political wisdom, which is without a rival in the history of nations.

After the ratification and adoption of the federal constitution, he was elected a representative of the state in congress. Previous, however, to his taking the oath required by the constitution, he resigned the office of judge of the supérior court, which he had held with unblemished reputation for twenty-three years.

At the expiration of two years, he was elected to the senate, and took an active part in the proceedings of that body. He continued to fill this elevated station, and scrupulously devoted his time and his talents in the service of his country, till the 23rd July, 1793, when this great and good man was gathered to his fathers, after a long life of virtue and usefulness.

SMITH, SAMUEL STANHOPE, DD. LL. D. president of Princeton college, was born at) Pequea, in the township of Salisbury, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on the 16th day of March, 1750.)

At the age of sixteen he entered Princeton college, and in the year 1769, took his first degree. / He returned to his father's family, and applied himself to extending his acquaintance with science and literature, by the perusal of the best writers with which the library of the family supplied him.

In cultivating the more elegant fields of the belles lettres, he seemed, however, to have taken the greatest pleasure, and to this species of exertion his intellectual powers appear to have been best adapted by nature.

During his continuance at Princeton as a student, his talents and assiduity did not pass unnoticed by that able divine and nice observer of men and things, Dr. Witherspoon; and, accordingly, a vacancy occurring in the offices of the college, he received from him a pressing invitation to return to the institution, to take under his charge the classical studies of the college, while he should assist also in cultivating among the students a taste for the belles lettres.

In this station he spent the two next years, of his life, performing, with acknowledged ability, the duties of his office in the institution, and at the same time prosecuting his theological studies, as he had now determined, as well from the dictates of his understanding as the impulse of his feelings, to devote himself to the church. As soon as he had finished the usual course of reading prescribed to students of divinity, he left Princeton, and was licensed to preach the gospel by the presbytery of New-Castle, in Pennsylvania.

Soon after he voluntarily offered to officiate as a missionary, and commenced his labours in the western counties of Virginia.

Having a mind already imbued with elegant lite rature, and a taste improved by familiarity with the finest models of writing in the Latin, Greek, English, and French languages, and withal a genius that kindled into enthusiasm at the success of those

celebrated preachers, whose praises and whose trí-umphs of eloquence he had seen recorded in ecclesiastical history; and above all, a heart deeply touched and interested with the great truths which it was his province to proclaim; the doctrines of the gospel were presented to his hearers in a more attractive form than they had ever before been able to conceive. In him they found solid sense and deep learning, recommending by their embellishments the simple and sublime truths of religion, and the influence of the whole augmented by all the graces of style, composition, and delivery.

His labours were consequently attended with the happiest effects. So strong at length, did the public sentiment in his favour become, that some gentlemen of wealth and influence resolved upon erecting a college, of which it was contemplated that he should become the president. No sooner was the plan projected, and the subscription list filled up, than they erected the buildings of the institution, which is now called Hamden Sydney college.

Having now completed his missionary tour, he returned to Princeton, and married the daughter of its venerable president. Soon after this event he returned to Virginia, to take upon him the twofold charge of principal of the seminary and pastor of the church. In both of these capacities he acquitted himself with the greatest talents and address. His reputation both as a pious and learned divine, and an eloquent and successful preacher, every day increased; and the attachment of his flock, and the students of the college to his person, was sincere and unabated during the whole time of his residence among them.

In the year 1779, through the solicitation of Dr. Witherspoon, he accepted the appointment of professor of moral philosophy in Princeton college; leaving his brother, the Rev. John Smith, in whom

he reposed entire confidence, to take charge of the infant college reared under his care in Virginia.

He then repaired to the seat of his future usefulness and celebrity, and commenced his labours, first in superintending the fitting up the college which had been destroyed by the British army, (who had occupied it as a barrack during their passing and repassing through the state of NewJersey,) and afterwards in discharging the duties of his office. The great interests of the American nation which were at this time pending, requiring the collective wisdom of her citizens to be brought into action for her welfare, Dr. Witherspoon, whose integrity, capacity, and attachment to the cause of patriotism had been sufficiently evinced during the war, was chosen by the state of New-Jersey to represent her in congress. For several years he continued to perform his duty in congress, while he still held the presidency of the college, and during the time of his absence from that institution, the whole weight of his cares now necessarily devolved upon Mr. Smith. Nothing, however, could overcome his firmness and perseverance. He had from the commencement been the chief instrument in reviving the institution, and he was resolved to persist through all difficulties and discouragements to the accomplishment of his object.

The superiority of his talents and the high respect which the students could not fail to entertain for him, enabled him to fill the two-fold office of president and professor.

At the close of the revolution, at the request of the board of trustees, Dr. Witherspoon visited England, to collect funds in aid of the college. Soon after his return that venerable man was afflicted with total blindness, and many infirmities which almost deprived him of power to attend to his duties, so that finally the whole weight and responsibility of the president's office devolved upon him. Like all men of real talent, his powers

only became more conspicuous, as they were called into more vigorous exertion. The trustees of the college becoming every day more sensible of his capacity and distinguished usefulness, added to his titles and dignities in the institution, besides the one of professor of moral philosophy, those of professor of theology and vice-president of the college.

In 1785, he was elected an honorary member of the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia; and was the same year appointed by that learned body to deliver their anniversary address. On this occasion it was, that he chose for his subject to explain the causes of the variety in the figure and complexion of the human species, and establish the identity of the race. This masterly treatise was published in the transactions of the society, and obtained for its author deserved reputation as a philosopher both in his own and foreign countries.

In the year following the publication of this work he received the degree of doctor in divinity from Yale college; and some years after the degree of doctor of laws from Cambridge university.

In the year 1786, he was appointed one of the committee, who were directed to draw up a system of government for the Presbyterian church in America. In pursuance of this appointment was prepared and digested that judicious and excellent form of presbyterial government by general assemblies, synods, and presbytery, which prevails at this time.

In 1794, Dr. Witherspoon finished his earthly course, and in the following spring, Dr. Smith was appointed his successor, and entered upon the dignity of that office, the duties of which he had long before fulfilled. His talents, like all those which are genuine, shone more brightly in proportion to the elevation to which he was raised. The dignity of manners, mingled with a respectful attention to