president Madison appointed him to the office of secretary of the treasury of the United States.

In 1815, he undertook the additional and very delicate trust of secretary at war, and executed with acknowledged success, the invidious task of reducing the army of the United States.

In the month of November, 1816, peace being restored, the finances arranged, the embarrassment of the circulating medium daily diminishing, and soon to disappear under the influence of the national bank, which it had so long been his labour to establish, he resigned his honourable trust, and resumed the practice of the law in Philadelphia. At this place he suddenly closed his career, January 16, 1817.

Mr. Dallas possessed a mind highly gifted by nature, and richly cultivated with a variety of knowledge.

As an advocate, he was learned, ingenious, and excursive, and at times very eloquent.

As a statesman, his talents were of the highest order; bold, comprehensive, and profound, and capable of grasping whatever subject he attempted.

DAVIE, WILLIAM RICHARDSON, one of the signers of the federal constitution, was born June 20, 1756. This distinguished patriot, at the commencement of the revolutionary war, was a student at Princeton college, where he finished his education, and graduated in the ever memorable year of '76. On his return home, he went to Salisbury, North-Carolina, and commenced the study of the law. The war continuing, contrary to the expectation which generally prevailed when it began, he could no longer resist his ardent wish to plant himself among the defenders of his country. Without delay he joined the southern army, and we find him at the bat

tle of Stono, as brigade-major of cavalry, covering the retreat of Lincoln's army. At the period of Gates's defeat, his zeal and activity had advanced him to the command of a legionary corps, in whose equipment he expended the last shilling of an estate bequeathed to him by his uncle. On the fatal 16th August, he was hastening with his corps to join the army, when he met our dispersed and flying troops. He nevertheless advanced towards the conqueror, and was essentially serviceable, not only in preventing pursuit, but in recapturing the baggage and some of our men. Convinced that

the victorious enemy would seek and strike at the brigade under Sumpter, he, with laudable zeal, immediately despatched a confidential soldier with the intelligence of Gates's defeat, and then reluctantly retired. He had previously under the command of Sumpter, fought both at Hanging-Rock and Rocky-Mount. In consideration of his eminent services, the governor of North-Carolina promoted him to the rank of brigadier-general.

General Davie was not only distinguished as an intelligent, but as an intrepid soldier. His delight was to lead a charge; and possessing great bodily strength, united with uncommon activity, is said to have overcome more men in personal conflict than any individual in the service.

His knowledge of the country and of its resources, induced general Greene, on assuming the command of the southern army, to intrust him with the charge of the quarter-master general's depart

ment.

He afterwards employed him as a negotiator with the legislature of North-Carolina, for supplies of men, the more effectually to resist the enemy. In both these capacities he acquitted himself with consummate ability, and to the entire satisfaction of his general.

At the close of the war he returned home, and resumed the practice of the law. He very soon

rose to great eminence; and in a few years, became one of its principal leaders and ornaments. He was possessed of great sagacity, profound knowledge, and masculine eloquence.

In 1787, he was appointed by the legislature of North-Carolina, a member of the grand convention which met at Philadelphia, to frame the present constitution. He was afterwards elected a member of the state convention, which met to ratify and adopt it, and was one of its ablest champions, and most ardent supporters.

In 1799, he was elected governor; the duties of which station he performed with his accustomed firmness and wisdom. He was not, however, permitted to remain long in that station. His country had higher claims on his talents and services.

The venerable Mr. Adams, then president of the United States, anxions to make one more effort to put an end to the differences which subsisted between this country and France, associated general Davie with Mr. Ellsworth and Mr. Murray, as his ambassadors to that court. These gentlemen, on their arrival in France, found the tyrannical and Corrupt government of the directory, which had behaved so haughtily to general Pinckney and his colleagues, overturned by Bonaparte; who though possessed of more power than his predecessors, was desirous to conciliate the United States. Commissioners were appointed to discuss the subjects of dispute, and their deliberations ended in a convention, which healed the breach, and saved the United States from being dragged into the vortex of European quarrels.

General Davie, who had, during his stay in France, witnessed and deplored the effects of the revolution upon that country, upon his return to the United States, endeavoured to impress upon all Americans, but chiefly upon young men of ardent minds, and promising talents, the vast importance of moderation and toleration in republican govern

ments; without which, they can scarcely hope to escape the snares of ambitious demagogues, and the ruin of violent dissentions. General Davie contemplated the character of Bonaparte with great attention. He saw him often, and conversed with him freely. He considered him as a man of first rate talents as a warrior, and of great research as a statesman. But he regarded him also, as a man of unbounded ambition, restrained by no principles, human or divine. His opinion of him afterwards was verified, by his assumption of imperial and despotic power.

General Davie continued to reside at his beautiful seat, on the banks of the Catawba, to which travellers and visiters were constantly attracted by his open hospitality, his dignified manners, and elevated character. The affability of his deportment gave easy access to all. But no person approached him, however, distinguished by his talents or character, who did not speedily feel, that he was in the presence of a very superior man. The good he did survives him; and he has left a noble example to the youth of his country, to encourage and to stimulate them in the honourable career of virtue and of exertion.

DWIGHT, TIMOTHY, S. T. D. LL. D. president and professor of divinity of Yale college, was born at Northampton, in the state of Massachusetts, May 4, 1752. At a very early age, he exhibited astonishing proofs of intellect, and was admitted into the freshman class of Yale college at the age of thirteen.

In 1769, he received the honours of the college, under the most promising auspices of future usefulness and celebrity.

In 1771, he was elected a tutor of Yale, and in the following year was admitted to the degree of

master of arts. In 1776, he married Miss Mary Woolsey, daughter of Benjamin Woolsey, Esq. of Long Island, and in the following year gave up his place as tutor in the college. He then accepted the appointment of chaplain in the American army, in the division commanded by general Putnam. His continuance with the army, however, was short, in consequence of the death of his father which happened in 1777. His father leaving a numerous family unprovided for, he went to reside with them, discharging at the same time every filial and fraternal duty. At this place, Northampton, he established an academy, which gained him great reputation. At the close of the revolutionary war, he was chosen to represent the town of Northampton in the state legislature: here he acquitted himself in a manner highly honourable to himself, and so as to give the strongest impression of his integrity, and sacred regard to justice. About this time he had several flattering offers made him from different towns in Massachusetts to settle as a clergyman, all of which he saw fit to decline. In 1783, he accepted an invitation to settle as a clergyman in the parish of Greenfield, in the town of Fairfield, in Connecticut. Here he ably and faithfully dispensed the word of God for the space of ten years. At this place, he established an academy for the reception of youth of both sexes, which soon gained a reputation, pèrhaps, unparalleled in any similar institution in this country. It was indebted for its celebrity to no extraneous aid whatever; and rested, for support, solely on the talents and exertions of the founder.

On the death of president Styles, in May, 1795, the public attention was immediately turned towards Dr. Dwight, as his successor. He was accordingly elected president of Yale college, and inducted into office the September following. Very soon the college began to flourish beyond all former example, and, perhaps, its reputation was