preme court, and established himself in his native county, where he practised with great reputation and success.

In conjunction with Charles De Witt, Esq. he was chosen a member of the colonial assembly, where he continued actively employed until the revolution, displaying all the resources of a powerful intellect, and the energies of undaunted patriotism.

On the 22d April, 1775, he was appointed a delegate to the continental congress; and in the same year he received the appointment of brigadiergeneral in the army of the United States.

At the first election under the constitution of the state, which was adopted at New-York on the 20th April, 1777, he was chosen both governor and lieutenant-governor; he accepted the former, in which office he was afterwards continued by six successive triennial elections.

During the revolutionary war, his situation as chief magistrate of the state of New-York, was the most arduous, the most critical, and the most important of any office in the new empire, except that of the commander-in-chief.

The state was harassed at all points by hostile forces, by disaffection, and by treason. It was at this eventful crisis, too, that the British commander attempted to divide the eastern from the other members of the confederacy, by a cordon of troops and armed vessels, extending from the city of NewYork along Hudson's river to the northern lakes. Governor Clinton, with a handful of men, for a long time successfully opposed the operations of the whole British army, and was finally the cause that frustrated the schemes of the British commander, which, had they succeeded, might have prostrated for a time the liberties of America.

In June, 1788, governor Clinton was chosen president of the convention, which met at Poughkeepsie, to deliberate on the new constitution.

After a retirement of five years from public life, he was induced from the critical and agitated state of the country, to step forth from the asylum of domestic enjoyments, into the troubled theatre of politics; and there is no doubt that his influence was the principal cause of the great political revolution which took place in 1801. At that time he was also prevailed upon to accept the appointment of governor. He held that office for three years, and was then elected vice-president of the United States. In this station he remained until his/decease, which took place on the 20th April, 1812, at the city of Washington.)

Governor Clinton's conduct was as amiable and exemplary in private, as it was dignified and useful in public life. As a public character, he will live in the veneration of posterity, and the progress of time will thicken the laurels that surround his monument. The characteristic virtues which distinguished his life, appeared in full splendour in the trying hour of death; and he died as he lived, without fear and without reproach.)

CODDINGTON, WILLIAM, the father of Rhode-Island, was a native of Lincolnshire, England. He was appointed a magistrate for Massachusetts, and came to this country in 1630, and fixed himself in Boston. On account of party politics, he removed to Rhode-Island, April 26, 1638, and was the principal instrument in effecting the original settlement of that place. His name stands first in the covenant signed by eighteen persons at Aquetneck, or Rhode-Island, March 7, 1638, forming themselves into a body politic, to be governed by the laws of the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings. It was soon found necessary to have something more definite. Mr. Coddington was appointed

judge, and three elders were joined with him; these were directed by a vote of the freemen, January 2, 1639, to be governed by the general rules of the word of God, when no particular rule was known. But this plan was changed, March 12, 1640, when a governor, lieutenant-governor, and four assistants were appointed.

Mr. Coddington was chosen governor seven years successively, until the charter was obtained, and the island was incorporated with the Providence plantations. In 1647 he assisted in forming the body of laws which has been the basis of the government of Rhode-Island ever since. In 1651, he went to England, and was commissioned governor of Aquetneck island, separate from the rest of the colony: but as the people were jealous lest his commission should affect their laws and liberties, he resigned it. Towards the close of life he was again chosen governor, and in 1678 he died. governor of the colony, being about 78 years of age. He was prudent in his administration, and active in promoting the welfare of the commonwealth.

COLDEN, CADWALLADER, an eminent physician, botanist, and astronomer, was born in Scotland, February 17, 1688. Having completed his academical studies at the university of Edinburgh, he applied himself to medicine and mathematics, and was eminently distinguished by his proficiency in both. Allured by the fame of William Penn's colony, he came to this country about the year 1708, and practised physic. He returned to England and formed an acquaintance with some of the most distinguished literary characters of England, with whom he afterwards corresponded, furnishing them with curious and useful intelligence respecting

America. From London he went to Scotland, and married a Miss Christie, with whom he returned to America in 1716.

At the strong solicitations of General Hunter, in 1718, he settled in New-York, and was shortly after appointed surveyor-general, and about the same time, master in chancery. On the arrival of governor Burnet, he was honoured with a seat in the king's council of the province. He afterwards rose to the head of this board, and in that station succeeded to the administration of the government in 1760. In 1761, he was appointed lieutenant-governor of New-York. He held this commission the remainder of his life, and was repeatedly at the head of government, in consequence of the death or absence of several governors.

His political character was rendered very conspicuous, by the firmness of his conduct during the violent commotions which preceded the late revolution. His administration is rendered memorable, amongst other things, by several charters of incorporation for useful and benevolent purposes. The corporation for the relief of distressed seamen, that of the chamber of commerce, and one for the relief of widows and children of clergymen, will transmit his name with honour to posterity. After the return of governor Tryon, in 1775, he retired to his seat on Long-Island, where he died, September 28, 1776.

Mr. Colden began early to notice the plants of America, classing and distinguishing them according to the custom of botany then in use. When he became acquainted with Linnæus's system of botany, he applied himself with new delight to that study. His descriptions of between three and four hundred American plants, were published in the Ac'a Upsaliensia. Though his principal attention, after the year 1760, was directed from philosophical to political matters, yet he maintained with great punctuality his literary correspondence with

Linnæus, Gronovius, Collinson, Dr. Franklin, and many other of the literati of Europe.

In 1747, he published in London, a history of the five nations of Indians.

COOPER, SAMUEL, DD. an eminent divine, was born in Boston, March 28, 1725. He was the son of the Rev. William Cooper; and his successor at Brattle-street church. He was graduated at Harvard college, in 1743. He early exhibited genius and talents of the first order. His erudition was rather extensive than deep, but his ready mind. and brilliant imagination, enabled him to shine in company.

In 1746, he was ordained, and was very distinguished in the sacred office which he sustained. His sermons were evangelical and perspicuous, and unequalled in America for elegance and

taste.

Dr. Cooper was among the first of those patriots who took a decided part in opposition to the arbitrary exactions of Great Britain. At all times he was a leading character among the American whigs. And from the time of the stamp act to the revolutionary war, some of the best political pieces in the Boston Gazette were the effusions of his pen. Such were his abilities and firmness, that he was esteemed and consulted by some of the principal men, who were the means of effecting our révolution. He did much towards procuring foreign alliances. His letters were read with great satisfaction in the court of Versailles, while men of the most distinguished characters in Europe became his correspondents. When his country had asserted her right to independence, believing that knowledge is necessary to the support of a free government, he was anxious to render our li